[Opinion] Gapyeong-gun's Staying Population of Nearly 990,000: An Opportunity and Driving Force for Regional Revitalization

Seo Taewon Gapyeong County Governor

Recently, the population survey conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Statistics Korea has drawn attention as a result that gives great hope to Gapyeong-gun. According to the announcement, as of the end of June 2024, the living population (registered population + staying population) of Gapyeong-gun exceeded 1.06 million, with the staying population reaching approximately 998,900. Notably, the staying population is 15.6 times the registered population of Gapyeong-gun (about 62,000), ranking second highest among 89 nationwide population decline areas.

This increase in the staying population is injecting significant vitality into the local economy. The staying population refers to people who stay in the Gapyeong area for more than 3 hours at least once a month, serving as a key indicator of Gapyeong-gun’s economic vitality. According to Statistics Korea’s survey, the average card spending per staying person in the area was 110,000 KRW. Applying this to the staying population of Gapyeong-gun (approximately 998,900), the economic impact on the local economy amounts to 109.8 billion KRW per month.

Even when conservatively estimating the effect of the staying population, there is a consumption creation effect of about 30 billion KRW per month. According to a survey conducted on visitors to the ‘Jarasum Spring Flower Festa’ held in Gapyeong-gun from May to June this year, the average spending per staying person was about 30,000 KRW. Based on this figure, the estimated amount spent by the staying population of approximately 990,000 in Gapyeong-gun is about 29.9 billion KRW.

Combining the survey results from Statistics Korea and Gapyeong-gun, it can be seen that the staying population visiting Gapyeong-gun generates a consumption creation effect ranging from a maximum of about 100 billion KRW to a minimum of 29.9 billion KRW per month. When converted to daily sales, this corresponds to economic activity amounting to as much as 3.6 billion KRW or at least about 1 billion KRW.

Thus, the staying population has a tremendous positive impact on the local economy. In particular, major service industries such as lodging, dining, and retail are revitalized by the consumption of the staying population, and this consumption creates a virtuous economic cycle throughout Gapyeong-gun. The increase in the staying population in Gapyeong-gun stems from various factors such as tourism and festivals. A representative example influencing the June staying population survey is the various festivals and cultural events held around Jarasum in Gapyeong-gun.

Major festivals held at Jarasum in the first half of this year include the Global Outdoor Camping Fair, the 2024 Camping Cooking Festival, the Kovea Camping Festival, and the Jarasum Spring Flower Festa. Safety and hospitality training, as well as hygiene management at major tourist campgrounds, pensions, and dining establishments, also contribute to attracting tourists. Leveraging Gapyeong-gun’s characteristic of having the most campgrounds nationwide, on-site training on safety and service is being strengthened for campground operators. Additionally, hospitality training and hygiene inspections are conducted for dining establishments to enhance tourist satisfaction.

Gapyeong-gun does not regard the staying population merely as visitors but implements various policies to connect them to settled residents. By expanding a comprehensive transportation network, accessibility to the metropolitan area is improved, and efforts are underway to build the Gapyeong-gun Health Medical Center to enhance local medical infrastructure. Furthermore, the ‘Military’s Our County Residents’ campaign is being promoted to encourage military personnel stationed in the area to transfer their residence. Notably, the ‘Digital Tourist Resident Card’ holders, numbering about 70,000?far exceeding the resident population of Gapyeong-gun?are also recognized as potential residents. They receive various discounts at tourist sites for experiences, viewing, dining, and lodging.

Through the increase in the staying population, Gapyeong-gun aims to develop beyond a simple tourist city into a self-sustaining city where people and the economy continuously circulate. Through this, it plans to establish a foundation for economic stability and future generations. In the mid to long term, it will use this as a growth engine to create a stronger self-sustaining economic structure, escaping the risk of extinction. We ask for your warm interest and encouragement for Gapyeong-gun’s ongoing efforts toward regional revitalization.