Namdong-gu, Incheon supports public officials' visits to sister cities to overcome the risk of local extinction.
On the 8th, the district announced that it will encourage its employees to visit sister cities by providing one special leave day per year along with welfare points worth 100,000 KRW for accommodation and cultural experiences. This support at the local government level to overcome the risk of local extinction is the first in Incheon and is rarely seen nationwide.
According to the district, the current sister cities of Namdong-gu are six locations: Eumseong, Chungbuk; Jeongseon, Gangwon; Boryeong, Chungnam; Yeongdong, Chungbuk; Goheung, Jeonnam; and Jangsu, Jeonbuk. Among these, except for Eumseong-gun, the other five cities are designated as population decline areas receiving government funds to respond to local extinction.
As the risk of local extinction emerges as a national issue, the district plans to motivate its employees to visit sister cities and revitalize consumption and economic activities.
Additionally, the district will work with sister cities to expand discount benefits for Namdong-gu residents visiting these sister cities' tourist attractions.
Currently, Eumseong-gun offers the same discount benefits to Namdong-gu residents visiting the natural recreation forest operated by the county as it does to its own residents. Jeongseon-gun provides discounts on admission fees for Hwaam Cave and the Gariwangsan cable car, while Goheung-gun offers discounts on admission to the Goheung Space Astronomy Science Museum's launch observatory.
Park Jong-hyo, Mayor of Namdong-gu, said, "We will contribute to overcoming the risk of local extinction by supporting our employees' visits to sister cities and participating in the hometown love donation system. We will do our best to expand material, human, and cultural exchanges with sister cities to create new synergy effects."
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