"150,000 Won Monthly" Unconditional Support Spurs Surge in New Residents

Effect of Basic Income for Rural Areas Announced in Okcheon County, North Chungcheong Province
Population Rebounds to 50,000 After Four Years... Policy Impact Becomes Visible

Okcheon County in North Chungcheong Province has managed to restore its population to 50,000 for the first time in four years, putting the brakes on the trend of population decline. This turnaround is the result of a surge in new residents after the announcement of the "Basic Income for Rural Areas" plan, which provides 150,000 won per month to every resident. It is being recognized as a meaningful example that demonstrates how a single policy can reverse population indicators in a rural county previously classified as an at-risk area for population extinction.

Cherry blossom road along the old National Road No. 37 in Gyodong-ri, Okcheon-eup, Okcheon County. Okcheon County Office

Population Returns to 50,000 After Four Years

According to Okcheon County on February 2, the county's population stood at 50,000 as of January 31. There were 25,351 men and 24,649 women. This is the first time the population has rebounded to the 50,000 mark since February 2022, nearly four years ago.

Until just the end of last year, Okcheon County's population had continued to decline, dropping to 48,204. However, the situation changed at the start of this year. The turning point came on December 3 of last year, when the plan to provide basic income to rural residents was officially announced. In just two months since then, Okcheon County’s population increased by 1,591. During this period, 2,271 people moved into Okcheon from other areas, while only 564 people moved out.

From a Population of 100,000 to an At-Risk Area

Okcheon County once had a population exceeding 100,000. However, due to changes in the industrial structure, an outflow of young people, and an aging population, the number of residents steadily declined over an extended period. Various incentives to encourage new residents and campaigns for public officials to change their registered addresses were implemented, but no clear rebound effect was observed. Ultimately, in 2021, Okcheon was included in the government’s list of 89 "at-risk areas for population extinction" nationwide.

"A Starting Point for Regional Recovery, Not Just a Temporary Effect"

On this day, Okcheon County held a "Population 50,000 Achievement Proclamation Ceremony" and set a mid- to long-term goal of restoring the population to 60,000. Okcheon County Governor Hwang Gyucheol stated, "We will pursue a variety of follow-up policies to ensure that the changes brought about by the basic income for rural areas become the starting point for revitalizing the region, rather than just a temporary phenomenon."

Basic Income for Rural Areas Image. The Asia Business Daily DB·ChatGPT

The Basic Income for Rural Areas is a government initiative being promoted as a national policy to revitalize rural regions facing extinction due to population decline and aging. Starting this year, pilot projects will be conducted for two years in ten regions nationwide, including Okcheon County. During this period, all residents will receive a local gift certificate worth 150,000 won each month, with the first payment scheduled for February 27.