Dangjin City Council Urges Amendment of Special Act to Support Areas with Population Decline

Rep. Sim Euisoo: "Population Decline Areas Should Be Designated Down to Eup, Myeon, and Dong Levels"

Assemblyman Suhisu. /Dangjin City Council

The Dangjin City Council in Chungnam submitted a proposal regarding the amendment of the "Special Act on Support for Population-Declining Areas" at the 3rd plenary session of the 115th regular meeting on the 4th, led by Councilor Sim Eesu.

This proposal calls for designating towns, townships, and neighborhoods (eup, myeon, dong units) as population-declining areas to receive policy support, in order to address the serious issue of population decline in rural areas.

Councilor Sim Eesu explained, "Since 2019, Korea has entered an era of population decline with the phenomenon of population dead cross, and population concentration in the metropolitan area is severe. Despite the government's balanced development policies and special laws, the unique characteristics of rural areas have not been reflected, resulting in ineffective outcomes."

He further pointed out, "Even in Dangjin City, the problem of population decline is severe in rural towns, townships, and neighborhoods, yet these have not been designated as population-declining areas. Instead, some districts and counties in the metropolitan area and major cities have been designated."

Councilor Sim insisted, "Indicators reflecting the unique characteristics of rural areas should be established, and population-declining area designation and support should be extended to towns, townships, and neighborhoods. The government must immediately amend the 'Special Act on Decentralization and Balanced Regional Development' and the 'Special Act on Support for Population-Declining Areas.'"

Meanwhile, this proposal, which strongly calls for effective measures to overcome the population decline crisis in rural areas, is scheduled to be sent to the Presidential Office, the Government of the Republic of Korea (Minister of the Interior and Safety), the Speaker of the National Assembly, and local councils nationwide.