10 Regional Vitality Towns Selected for Return-to-Farming and Retirees

Living in Rural Areas with Community Facilities and Gyms
This Year, 10 Regional Vitality Towns Selected Including Yeongwol, Buan, Boeun
8 Ministries Including MOLIT and MOIS Join Hands... National and Administrative Support

"I have lived in Seoul continuously, but it is too complicated, so I want to leave. However, I hesitate to move to the provinces because of the lack of living infrastructure." (Jang Jiho, 27, residing in Seongdong-gu, Seoul)

For young people and retirees who want to leave Seoul but hesitate to move to the provinces due to the lack of convenience facilities, Regional Vitality Towns are being established. Various types of housing such as detached houses and townhouses will be supplied in the provinces, and urban living conditions such as gyms and community facilities will be provided to support migration and settlement in the provinces. Until now, there have been cases like Mr. Jang who dreamed of 'provincial migration' but could not leave due to the lack of infrastructure in the provinces.

Overview of the 10 locations selected for this year's Regional Vitality Town Project.
[Data provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport]

On the 9th, eight government ministries including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that they have selected 10 Regional Vitality Towns this year in areas such as Yeongwol, Buan, and Boeun. This project started last year with seven locations selected. The seven selected sites are currently under design. The selected local governments choose projects suitable for their regional characteristics and make plans, which are then supported by each ministry.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 672 housing units will be supplied through this year's selected Regional Vitality Town projects. Among them, 309 units are for sale, and 363 units are for rent. The average supply volume for the 10 project sites is 67 units, with 31 units for sale and 36 units for rent.

In Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do, block-type detached houses will be built for young people who want to live in the provinces, and youth startup support programs will be operated. The total project cost is 37.9 billion KRW, and the development area is 22,267㎡. The eight ministries will support access to schools, hospitals, and public offices within walking distance. Childcare within the complex will also be provided, and mini complex spaces such as parks will be built together.

In Yeongwol, Gangwon-do, townhouses and public rental housing will be built for returnees, retirees, and rural study families. Community centers and sports centers that residents and locals can use will also be constructed. The total project cost is 30 billion KRW, and the project area is 25,091㎡. In addition, other selected locations will provide various residential environments and infrastructure tailored to returnees, retirees, and youth by reflecting regional characteristics.

The 10 selected locations will receive national funding and administrative support such as special permits according to the linked projects chosen by each local government. If local governments select from 18 linked support projects from eight ministries, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Local Extinction Response Fund and the Ministry of Land’s region-specific support, each ministry will review and provide support. Administrative support will expedite local development by facilitating permits such as local management plans and tourism complex designations.

According to the Ministry of Land, 30 local governments applied for the Regional Vitality Town project this year. Among them, 15 were selected through document evaluation, and finally, 10 were chosen through comprehensive evaluations including on-site assessments. Jang Sunjae, Director of Regional Policy at the Ministry of Land, said, "The most important factor in Regional Vitality Towns is location," adding, "We selected places that can maintain the natural environment while providing urban living conditions."