Cheongyang County's 'Returning Residents Settlement Support Project' Gains Attention as a Model for Addressing Population Decline

Kim Dongon: "First Implemented in the Chungcheong Region...
Aiming to Create a People-Centered, Livable Community"

Cheongyang County Office Exterior View

Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province is drawing attention as a new model for addressing the crisis of population decline, as its 'Returning Residents Settlement Support Project'?the first of its kind in the Chungcheong region?has achieved tangible results. These outcomes are attributed to the proactive policy initiatives and field-oriented administrative leadership of County Governor Kim Dongon.

According to Cheongyang County on May 30, the county enacted the 'Ordinance on Promoting and Supporting Returning Residents to Cheongyang County' in August of last year and has since been actively implementing support policies for returning and relocating residents starting this year.

In particular, the county has introduced practical settlement policies by establishing a support package for housing, entrepreneurship, and culture, aimed at encouraging both young people and middle-aged residents to settle in their hometown.

The main policies include: ▲ up to 2 million KRW in architectural design support for new home construction ▲ up to 200,000 KRW per month in rent support for a maximum of 12 months for tenants ▲ up to 5 million KRW (80% subsidized) in home repair costs. Among these, the housing-related programs received an enthusiastic response, closing early with a competition rate of 2 to 1.

This project, which has provided practical support for the initial settlement of returning residents, has also demonstrated its popularity through its high budget execution rate.

In addition, Cheongyang County is simultaneously offering practical, customized education and experiential programs for those returning to farming and rural life.

Through various programs such as the 'Agricultural Startup Incubation Center,' 'Returning to Farming and Rural Experience School,' and 'Living in Cheongyang,' the county is helping urban residents settle stably in rural areas. The county is also actively working to secure housing through initiatives such as the 'Returning Farmers' House' and the 'Vacant House Connection Project.'

Governor Kim Dongon stated, "I am greatly encouraged by the fact that Cheongyang County's Returning Residents Settlement Support Project, the first to be implemented in the Chungcheong region, has been successfully established and is producing real results. We will continue to expand the project by introducing a variety of support measures and strive to make Cheongyang a people-centered, livable community."

This Returning Residents Settlement Support Project is expected to become a model case not only for the Chungcheong region but also for population decline response policies nationwide, as Cheongyang County establishes a comprehensive settlement infrastructure across housing, employment, education, and culture.