Shared Center in Yeongdeok, Kim Injoong Exhibition Hall in Nonsan... Specialized Projects Selected for Population Decline Areas

On May 14, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it has selected five projects as part of this year's public-private coexistence investment agreement program. This initiative moves away from government-led local extinction response policies, instead adopting a collaborative model in which the private sector takes the lead in planning and operating projects, while the public sector provides support for infrastructure and other foundational needs. The program was first introduced last year.

This year, applications were accepted from 85 basic local governments in non-metropolitan areas experiencing population decline. First, metropolitan governments conducted evaluations and submitted eight projects to the Ministry. The Ministry then conducted on-site inspections and final evaluations before selecting projects in Seo-gu, Busan; Nonsan, Chungnam; Imsil, Jeonbuk; Wando, Jeonnam; and Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk.

Seo-gu in Busan will leverage its three university hospitals to establish a medical and healthcare industrial ecosystem. The district will collaborate with institutions such as the Pusan National University Biomedical Research Institute. The plan includes providing space for medical startups and supporting specialized entrepreneurship programs. The total project cost is set at 9.1 billion won.

Nonsan in Chungnam will permanently exhibit stained glass works by artist Kim Injoong. The project will be carried out in partnership with Bitseom, Ibiga Group, and Konyang University, which operate a cafe and food and beverage academy. A rice warehouse built during the Japanese colonial period will be transformed into a multi-purpose cultural space featuring stained glass. The investment totals 15.7 billion won.

The Samsa Coastal Park area in Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk, selected as a public-private coexistence investment agreement project. A shared conference center and other facilities will be constructed. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Imsil in Jeonbuk will create experiential play areas and a glamping site in connection with its Cheese Theme Park, in collaboration with theme park companies Dreamland and Dream Leisure. The project budget is set at 13.5 billion won. In Wando, Jeonnam, the county will partner with the Daewoo Foundation to build an art museum under the direction of Sunjung Kim, artistic director of the Art Sonje Center, and link various programs to mental wellness initiatives. The budget for this project is 13 billion won.

Yeongdeok in Gyeongbuk will work with Panac Co., Ltd. and Sono International, both specializing in the tourism industry, to construct a shared conference center in the Samsa Coastal Park area, in connection with hotels and resorts. The facility will have convention functions and operate remote vacation work (workation) programs. The project budget is set at 16 billion won.

The selected projects will receive up to 5 billion won in national funding. Government support programs, including the Local Extinction Response Fund, will be organically linked to these initiatives. By October this year, the Ministry and local governments will sign agreements following a review by the Committee for the Local Era. The facilities are scheduled for completion by 2028. Kim Jiyeon, Director of National Land Policy at the Ministry, stated, "We hope that universities, companies, and public interest foundations with creativity and expertise will participate in regional coexistence projects and inject new vitality and energy into local communities."