Gurye-gun Selected for 55.1 Billion Won Regional Vitality Town Contest

Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and 6 Other Ministries Jointly Host

New Residential Complex for 86 Households Including Retirees and Youth

Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, has been finally selected for the ‘2024 Regional Vitality Town Contest Project,’ jointly promoted by eight ministries including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The Regional Vitality Town project aims to support the settlement of retirees and young people in non-metropolitan basic local governments such as depopulated areas by creating residential complexes that combine housing, culture, and welfare.

[Photo by Gurye-gun]

From the perspective of local governments concerned about population decline, this is considered the top priority contest project, and this year, 10 local governments were selected through fierce competition.

The Regional Vitality Town planned by Gurye-gun, named ‘Gurye Sane Maeul,’ is scheduled to be developed on a 77,000㎡ site in Bongseo-ri, Gurye-eup, with a total project cost of 55.1 billion KRW, including 6.4 billion KRW in national funding.

The planned number of households within the complex is 86, and including company dormitories, it is expected that 186 households will reside there. In addition to housing, essential living infrastructure lacking in rural areas such as a national sports center, a community center, and a job startup support center will be built, creating a living environment comparable to urban areas.

Furthermore, Gurye-gun’s Regional Vitality Town is expected to be developed in conjunction with the county’s key project, the ‘Public Institution Concentration Project around the County Office,’ and upon completion, a new model of rural administrative complex is anticipated to emerge.

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The name ‘Gurye Sane Maeul’ symbolizes the identity of Gurye, which is mountainous, while the pronunciation resembling ‘Gurye Sane’ reflects the purpose of creating a Regional Vitality Town.

Meanwhile, the county signed a business agreement with Jeonnam Development Corporation early last year for the creation of the Regional Vitality Town and designated Jeonnam Development Corporation as the project implementer. The county plans to soon sign a detailed construction agreement with Jeonnam Development Corporation.

County Governor Kim Soon-ho said, “Although Gurye-gun faces crises such as population decline and super-aging, it also encounters golden opportunities like the pumped-storage power plant and Osan cable car attraction,” adding, “We will use the attraction of the Regional Vitality Town as a turning point to overcome the crisis of regional extinction.”

Gurye = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yuk Miseok hss79@asiae.co.kr