Up to 300 Million Won for Startup Funds, 75 Million Won for Housing Purchases
On July 8, Hongseong County in South Chungcheong Province announced that it is accepting applications for its "Fishing Village Returnee Startup and Housing Purchase Fund Support Program" until August 1. This initiative is designed to help urban residents and others who wish to return to fishing villages settle stably in local fishing communities.
Eligible applicants include those who, as of this year, are fishing returnees or aspiring returnees aged 65 or younger, as well as non-fishermen (local non-fishermen) who have been living in rural or fishing villages but have not operated a fishery or aquaculture business within the past five years. All applicants must meet requirements for length of residence and completion of relevant training programs. Selected participants may receive loans of up to 300 million won for startup funds and up to 75 million won for housing purchases. The loan interest rate is 1.5% per year, with a five-year grace period and repayment over ten years in installments.
For more details, applicants should contact the Fisheries Policy Team at the county’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Division. Those wishing to apply must refer to the announcement on the county website and visit the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Division in person to submit the application form and required documents.
A county official stated, "We will do our best to ensure that urban residents wishing to return to fishing villages can settle stably in our local fishing communities." The official also added, "We are also implementing a Youth Fishing Village Settlement Support Program, which provides up to 1.1 million won per month to young fishermen under the age of 40, depending on their fisheries management experience."
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