Population Emergency Task Force Activated, Discussing Short- and Mid- to Long-Term Measures Based on Population Forecast Scenarios
Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam held its first Kick-Off meeting on the 15th to establish a population emergency task force (TF) in response to the expected decline of the resident registration population, which was close to 1.1 million after integration, to below 1 million within this year.
As of the end of last year, Changwon City's population stands at 1,009,000, and the population including foreigners under the special city criteria is 1,028,000.
The Population Emergency TF is led by Ryu Hyo-jong, Director of Planning and Coordination, and is composed of public officials responsible for education, culture, and welfare, as well as expert groups from the City Research Institute, Industrial Promotion Agency, and Welfare Foundation.
During the meeting, a thorough analysis and discussion of the factors contributing to population decline were conducted based on population forecast scenarios.
The city plans to maintain the population at 1 million as much as possible as a short-term measure.
Through a comprehensive mid- to long-term plan, the city aims to establish a solid foundation that will never collapse again with a strategy for a sharp rebound to a population of 1 million. This plan is scheduled to coincide with the opening of the Gadukdo New Airport and Jinhae New Port in 2029. Through this, the city hopes to complete a J-shaped growth recovery scenario from the current L-shaped long-term stagnation.
Additionally, the city plans to prepare a revision of the special city population criteria within the first half of the year.
The special city regulation states that if the population, including registered residents and foreigners, falls below 1 million for two consecutive years, the city will be excluded from the special city status.
Changwon City argues that, despite the population concentration accelerating in the metropolitan area to exceed 50% of the national population, the uniform 1 million population standard like that of the metropolitan area actually promotes reverse discrimination.
Ryu Hyo-jong, Director of Planning and Coordination, said, “The moment we take the population decline problem for granted due to low birth rates and metropolitan concentration, there is no future for our Changwon.” He added, “Fortunately, our city has sufficient opportunities for a rebound with Changwon National Industrial Complex 2.0, Jinhae New Port, and Gadukdo New Airport. In connection with these, we must build attractive living conditions including education and jobs to become a city where people gather.”
Meanwhile, the Population Emergency TF plans to prepare a new comprehensive population plan divided into short-, mid-, and long-term measures as soon as possible through continuous meetings and discussions.
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