Hwasun County's Marriage Promotion Fund Policy Proves Effective in Encouraging Youth Marriage and Local Settlement

"Up to 10 Million Won in Marriage Promotion Fund"
Highest Level of Support in South Jeolla Province

Marriage Incentive Poster of Hwasun County. Provided by Hwasun County

On January 12, Hwasun County in South Jeolla Province announced that its marriage promotion fund policy has been delivering tangible results by encouraging young people to get married and settle in the region.

The county's bold initiative, which provides up to 10 million won to couples who marry in Hwasun, is easing the financial burden of marriage in its early stages and is being recognized as a practical solution to the challenges of low birth rates and population decline.

Since 2021, Hwasun County has implemented the highest-level marriage promotion fund in South Jeolla Province, supporting couples by alleviating the initial economic burden of marriage and helping them settle in the area. The policy provides up to 10 million won, with 2 million won paid annually for five years after marriage.

Since the policy was introduced, a total of 1.7 billion won has been distributed to 321 newlywed couples, and among them, 52 couples have received the maximum support amount of 10 million won.

Notably, only 28 couples among the recipients relocated out of the region due to job changes or other reasons, indicating that most couples have settled stably in Hwasun. This demonstrates that the marriage promotion fund is more than just financial support; it serves as an effective settlement policy that encourages couples to choose Hwasun as their home.

The marriage promotion fund policy in Hwasun County not only promotes marriage among young people but also focuses on expanding the foundation for local settlement.

Eligible applicants include couples where at least one partner is marrying for the first time and both spouses are registered residents of Hwasun County after marriage. Applications can also be made if the couple registers their residence in Hwasun on the same day as their marriage registration, further reducing the initial settlement burden for young people.

Multicultural families are also eligible for support. If a foreign spouse gives birth to a child or acquires Korean nationality and registers as a resident of Hwasun, they can apply for the fund for the first time. This ensures that families from diverse cultural backgrounds can settle in the area with stability.

In addition to the marriage promotion fund, Hwasun County is implementing various policies for young people and newlyweds. Key initiatives include providing affordable housing for youth and newlyweds, operating 24-hour daycare centers, offering basic income for newborns, and providing childbirth and childcare allowances. These policies are designed to offer comprehensive support from marriage to childbirth and child-rearing.

Jo Mihwa, Director of Population and Youth Policy, stated, "The key to overcoming the crisis of regional extinction is to implement policies that encourage young people to get married and settle down." She added, "We will actively support young people so they can ease their financial burdens and build happy families in Hwasun." She further emphasized, "We will do our utmost to develop youth-oriented policies and increase the local resident population."