Governor Kim Donggon of Cheongyang: "Revitalizing the Region and Preventing Population Decline through Basic Income"

"Creating a Model to Address Population Decline
by Linking Food, Care, Industry, and Tourism"

Kim Donggon, Governor of Cheongyang County

Kim Donggon, Governor of Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province, has designated "basic income for rural and fishing communities" as the central pillar of county administration for this year and will completely reorganize the policy framework accordingly.

Governor Kim stated that he will organically link basic income with food, care, settlement, and tourism policies to create a sustainable circulation structure for the local economy and establish a new rural model to address population decline.

In his New Year's address delivered at the Cultural Arts Center on January 2, Governor Kim said, "We will focus on changes and achievements that residents can truly feel, and steadfastly pursue county administration in a consistent direction that brightens the future of the region."

He added, "Last year was the Year of the Blue Snake, and now we welcome the Year of the Red Horse. In the Year of Byeongo, we will keep running without stopping, with the determination of 'Mabujeongje (a horse never stops its hooves).' "

Governor Kim cited the following as major achievements from last year: the scheduled opening of the South Chungcheong Social Economy Innovation Town in May 2025; selection of the Jeongsan Fairy Tale Vitality Town project (worth 54.6 billion won); and the launch of three agricultural cooperatives' joint corporation, which expanded agricultural product distribution and marketing. After the launch of the joint corporation, sales reached 18.8 billion won.

He also noted, "We expanded the food plan by opening the Chilgapmaru Food Coexistence Center, attracting 716 foreign seasonal workers (a 71% increase from the previous year), and opening the second and third Daejeon food direct stores."

Additionally, he emphasized, "Through the operation of public meal services and public restaurants, the cumulative sales of the Regional Revitalization Foundation reached 37.8 billion won, and we won the grand prize in the 'Regional Food Index Evaluation' for four consecutive years."

Governor Kim said, "For the first time nationwide, we implemented free meals at 140 senior centers and announced the 'Da-Dolbom Vision,' which advanced the Cheongyang-style integrated care system, thereby strengthening the care infrastructure."

He further explained, "Since the opening of Chilgap Tower, we have attracted an average of about 1,000 visitors per day, and with the addition of 18 holes at the Wangjinnaru Park Golf Course, we expanded the living population base to about 2,200 visitors per month."

In addition, he highlighted achievements across county administration, including winning the Youth-Friendly Constitutional Award for five consecutive years, constructing the Cheongyang County Multipurpose Hall, and achieving the highest rating in the national local government pledge implementation evaluation.

He particularly emphasized, "The most meaningful achievement is the selection for the basic income pilot project for rural and fishing communities. As this is a core project that encompasses and sustains the policies of the 7th and 8th popularly elected administrations, I will ensure that this outcome, achieved through the efforts of the county council, residents, and public officials, becomes a successful model."

This year, Cheongyang County has set its county administration slogan as "2026: The Year of a Happy Cheongyang through Basic Income."

The plan is to design the basic income pilot project for rural and fishing communities not as a simple cash transfer, but as a structure that enables the local economy to circulate stably, thereby improving residents' living conditions and leading to the revitalization of local industries and population growth.

To this end, the county will work to improve settlement conditions by establishing a general industrial complex, revitalizing the operation of public institutions, expanding emergency and inpatient facilities at the public health center, and increasing mobile medical services.

Additionally, the county plans to strengthen agricultural competitiveness by fostering the Hyangjinju brand, activating the agricultural cooperative joint corporation, operating a smart distribution center, and enhancing the comprehensive food town.

Furthermore, the county will advance the integrated care system, expand free meals to 200 senior centers, operate care buses and the Happiness Nuri Center, and make rural bus services free, thereby pursuing welfare policies that residents can directly experience.

The county also plans to expand tourism and sports infrastructure by developing Chilgap Lake as a tourism hub, creating nighttime landscapes and waterfront camping sites, and expanding park golf courses and golf courses.

Governor Kim stated, "Public officials will seek answers in the field with a united mind, and together with the residents, we will achieve results and create a new model to overcome population decline."