First Gui-eo Town Completed in Seosan, Chungnam... Solving Housing Issues for Returning Fishermen

14 Units Available at Jungri Fishing Village Experience and Recreation Town in Jigok-myeon
Duplex: 450,000 KRW/Month, Studio: 300,000 KRW/Month

Completion ceremony of the Gui-eo Town established in Seosan/Chungnam Province

For the first time in Korea, South Chungcheong Province has established a "Gwi-eo Town" to support the stable settlement of urban residents wishing to return to fishing villages or move to rural areas.

On the 12th, South Chungcheong Province announced that it held a completion ceremony for the "Chungnam Gwi-eo Town House" at Jungri Fishing Village Experience and Recreation Village in Jigok-myeon, Seosan City.

The Gwi-eo Town was created in Jungwang Fishing Village Experience and Recreation Village to resolve the initial housing issues for urban residents wishing to return to fishing villages or move to rural areas, allowing them to live in temporary housing while experiencing fishing and village life before settling down.

The temporary housing units are mobile homes similar to small farmhouses, consisting of 11 duplex units of 33 square meters and 3 studio units of 26.4 square meters, totaling 14 units. All 14 units are currently occupied by new residents. The total number of residents is 22, mostly in their 40s to 60s.

Each house is equipped with a bathroom and basic appliances such as a refrigerator, TV, and induction stove, so residents only need to bring their personal belongings. The monthly rent is 450,000 won for a duplex unit and 300,000 won for a studio, with no deposit required.

South Chungcheong is the first to establish a Gwi-eo Town in the form of a village.

These new residents have completed registration with the Jungwang-ri fishing village association and the fisheries cooperative, are participating in fishing activities, and from next month, will also join the Gamtae processing plant operations.

In addition to Jungri Fishing Village Experience and Recreation Village, the province plans to install four Gwi-eo Town houses in Horie, Palbong, Seosan, and five more in Hwangchon-ri, Wonbuk, Taean by June next year.

The Jungwang-ri fishing village association, with 98 members, currently produces Gamtae, octopus, and clams, earning an average annual fishing village income of 24 million won and an additional 19.5 million won from non-fishing activities per person.

The Gamtae processing plant, which opened in 2019, employs 10 workers and generates annual sales of 1.5 billion won. Since May last year, it has also provided a monthly pension of 100,000 won to 24 residents aged 78 or older.

Meanwhile, last year there were 199 households returning to fishing villages in the province, accounting for 27.8% of the national total of 716 households, ranking second nationwide after South Jeolla Province's 279 households (39%).