Chilgok County Council ... Benchmarking by the Low Birthrate and Population Decline Countermeasures Research Group

Pursuing Youth and Return-to-Farming and Rural Migration Policies

The Chilgok County Low Birthrate and Population Decline Countermeasures Research Group, a research organization of the Chilgok County Council in North Gyeongsang Province, visited Cheongdo County on September 24. Cheongdo County has the highest rate of increase in resident population in the province. The group conducted benchmarking to explore ways to attract new residents through youth and return-to-farming and rural migration policies.

Group photo after the Chilgok County Low Birthrate and Population Decline Countermeasure Study Meeting / Photo by Lee Ihwan

First, during a visit to the Cheongdo County Innovation Center, the group emphasized the importance of youth not just as beneficiaries but as key participants and planners in policymaking. They discussed ways to create jobs for young people.

Next, they visited the Cheongdo County Comprehensive Support Center for Return-to-Farming and Rural Migration, where they analyzed various projects aimed at attracting returnees to farming and discussed how such initiatives could be adapted for Chilgok County.

Oh Jongyeol, the representative council member, stated, "Our county also needs to pursue youth and return-to-farming and rural migration policies that take advantage of our proximity to major cities, just like Cheongdo County. We will work together with the executive branch to ensure that our population does not fall below 100,000."