Hwasun-gun Receives Korea's Top Management Award in the 'Leadership Category'

Second Honor Following Last Year's Regional Economic Revitalization Award

Focus on Population Inflow Policies to Overcome Local Extinction Crisis

Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gu Bok-gyu) won the Grand Prize in the Leadership Management category at the '9th 2024 Korea Best Management Awards' held on the 4th. This is the second honor following last year's Grand Prize in the Regional Economic Revitalization category.

According to Hwasun-gun on the 4th, the Korea Best Management Awards discover and select organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their respective fields through excellent management strategies and award them in various categories. This award is hosted annually by the Maeil Business Newspaper Media Group.

Hwasun-gun was selected for the Grand Prize in the Leadership Management category in recognition of its strong leadership in implementing policies effective in overcoming the crisis of local extinction and attracting population inflow, including ▲the 10,000-won monthly rent housing for youth and newlyweds (hereinafter referred to as 10,000-won rent housing), and Jeollanam-do’s first ▲Hwasun-type 24-hour daycare center to create a pleasant child-rearing environment.

The 10,000-won rent housing policy involves Hwasun-gun leasing private rental housing and then subleasing it to youth and newlywed couples aged between 18 and 49 for a monthly rent of only 10,000 won, which has been recognized for significantly contributing to housing stability for youth and newlyweds and has attracted considerable attention.

In particular, this year, the eligibility for newlywed couples has been expanded from those married within 7 years from the marriage registration date to couples planning to marry within 3 months from the announcement date, which is expected to increase the number of applicants.

After the initial 2-year contract, up to two additional contract extensions are possible, allowing a maximum residence period of 6 years,

and starting with 100 units in 2023, a total of 400 units will be supplied by 2026 at a rate of 100 units per year.

In the second half of 2023, the competition rate soared to 34 to 1, demonstrating its popularity. The recruitment for tenants for the 100 units supplied this year will be held from April 1 to April 14.

Additionally, Hwasun-gun is expected to create a synergistic effect by simultaneously implementing policies on jobs and childbirth alongside the housing policy of 10,000-won rent housing.

The operation of the Hwasun-type 24-hour daycare center also attracted public attention. While the 10,000-won rent housing reduces the housing burden for youth and newlyweds and creates conditions for marriage, the Hwasun-type 24-hour daycare center is a 24-hour childcare and care system for working people, dual-income couples, and single-parent families.

It provides hourly childcare services in two daycare centers within the jurisdiction for infants and young children aged 6 months to under 7 years who require urgent care due to parents’ nighttime economic activities, business trips, illness, or other reasons.

Operating 24 hours from 7:30 AM to 7:30 AM the next day (excluding Sundays and public holidays), the support targets are residents registered in Hwasun-gun (parents, direct ascendants, legal guardians) or workers employed at workplaces in Hwasun-gun. The support time is available up to 80 hours per month, and the hourly usage fee is only 1,000 won (borne by the parents), making it very affordable.

Gu Bok-gyu, Governor of Hwasun-gun, said, “Thanks to the combined efforts of the residents and public officials, these policies have been rapidly implemented and recognized within a short period, and I am grateful for that.” He added, “We will do our best to sequentially promote the major policies of Hwasun-gun to renew Hwasun and make the residents happy.”