[Special Measures for Local Extinction] Closed School Properties Transferred Free to Local Governments...Effectiveness Questioned on Site

Analysis of Measures under the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family
Purpose of Utilizing Local Closed School Properties and Single-Parent Facilities
Field Points Out 'Effectiveness in Responding to Population Decline'
Government "Promotes Substantial Expansion of Special Cases"

The government is preparing special provisions to transfer closed school properties in population-declining areas to local governments free of charge to respond to regional extinction. Additionally, income criteria for admission to single-parent family welfare facilities will be removed exclusively for these areas, and internship support criteria for women with career interruptions will be relaxed.

However, there are concerns about potential disputes between education offices and local governments over closed school properties, and some measures have been criticized for lacking policy effectiveness in addressing regional extinction.

Free Transfer of Local 'Closed School Properties' to Local Governments

(Embargoed until 12 PM on the 18th)
Lim Cheol-eon, Director of the Balanced Development Support Bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is speaking at a joint briefing with related ministries on the expansion plan for regulatory exceptions in population decline areas, held on the 17th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

On the 18th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced the 'Expansion Plan for Regulatory Exceptions in Population-Declining Areas' containing these details in cooperation with related ministries. The government previously enacted the 'Special Act on Support for Population-Declining Areas' in 2022, granting 36 exceptions to 89 population-declining areas. Through this announcement, the government intends to actively respond to the issue of regional extinction by promoting practical expansion of exceptions that can be felt on the ground.

First, to respond to regional extinction within population-declining areas, special provisions will be established to allow local governments to receive closed school properties free of charge. Under the current 'Closed School Property Utilization Act,' closed school properties can be leased free of charge only if they have not been used for more than five years or if prior consultation between the head of the local government and the superintendent of education occurs. This also applies when the properties are used as income-generating facilities, shared-use facilities, or social welfare facilities.

The plan is to create an exception allowing the transfer of these properties to local governments after prior consultation between the superintendent of education and the local government head. According to the Ministry of Education, as of March this year, out of 367 unused closed schools nationwide, 243 are in population-declining areas, accounting for 66.2%.

However, since this requires prior consultation between the superintendent of education and the local government head, there is potential for disputes between the two parties. A local education office official from a population-declining area expressed opposition, saying, "The education office has plans to prioritize using the facilities for educational purposes, but it seems the local government intends to take over the land and facilities."

Regarding this, a Ministry of Education official stated, "Consultations between metropolitan and provincial education offices and the Local Autonomy Council are fully possible, and there are cases nationwide where properties have been transferred," adding, "There are closed schools that are not properly utilized, so we included this exception."

To revitalize 'rural study abroad' promoted at the education office level, rural study abroad schools will be specified in the Special Act on Support for Population-Declining Areas, and barriers will be lowered. Rural study abroad is a program where urban students transfer to rural schools for an extended period to experience rural life. Currently, when urban students study abroad in agricultural and fishing villages, they must reside within the school district of the study abroad operating school, and studying abroad is not possible if they live in adjacent townships. The plan is to include a provision allowing flexible adjustment of school districts, with detailed matters to be regulated by ordinances.

Lowering Admission Barriers for Single-Parent Family Welfare Facilities

Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will also provide benefits mainly to residents of population-declining areas. First, it will lower the admission barriers for single-parent family welfare facilities. Currently, admission requires meeting an income criterion of 100% or less of the median income, but for facilities in these areas, admission will be allowed regardless of income. Additionally, although previously residents had to leave after about five years, extensions will be permitted if home living is difficult. As of this month, nine single-parent family welfare facilities operate in six population-declining areas.

However, there are criticisms that this measure is practically ineffective. A representative of a private single-parent family welfare facility said, "These facilities are intended for those who are truly struggling to live and want support to become independent," adding, "It is doubtful that more single-parent families will enter the facilities just because the income criterion of 100% median income is lifted." In response, a Ministry of Gender Equality and Family official explained, "Income verification is necessary upon admission, but the process of checking financial information takes considerable time, which can be shortened," and added, "Admission to facilities across regions will also be possible, so there will be some effect."

Furthermore, the Ministry will relax internship support criteria for companies participating in the Women New Employment Center internships exclusively in population-declining areas, enabling companies in these areas to secure additional interns. The Women New Employment Center provides employment support services for women with career interruptions and unemployed women seeking jobs. The ministry will also ease operational standards for sexual violence counselor training facilities to alleviate difficulties in recruiting instructors.