Local governments across Korea have flocked to apply for additional selection in the "rural basic income" pilot program, which pays 150,000 won per month to rural residents. Amid the regional extinction crisis, expectations for revitalizing local economies have grown, with some areas even launching signature campaigns as competition to host the program heats up.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced Wednesday that 44 counties nationwide have applied for the additional public call for five counties to expand the target areas of the rural basic income pilot program. By region, South Jeolla had the most applicants with 11, followed by Gangwon with 8, South Gyeongsang with 6, North Jeolla and North Gyeongsang with 5 each, North Chungcheong and South Chungcheong with 4 each, and Gyeonggi with 1.
The program provides local love gift certificates worth 150,000 won per month to residents of selected areas among the 69 counties nationwide designated as population-declining regions. The certificates can only be used within the designated region, aiming to simultaneously boost consumption and revive the local economy. Previously, 10 counties — Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi, Jeongseon in Gangwon, Okcheon in North Chungcheong, Cheongyang in South Chungcheong, Sunchang and Jangsu in North Jeolla, Gokseong and Shinan in South Jeolla, Yeongyang in North Gyeongsang, and Namhae in South Gyeongsang — were selected as target areas and began distributing the certificates in late February of this year.
The Ministry of Agriculture secured 70.6 billion won through a supplementary budget last month to strengthen support for rural areas facing growing difficulties due to the Middle East war, among other factors. Based on this, the ministry is proceeding with the selection process for five additional counties.
Competition among local governments is also fierce. With participation from Uiryeong, Hadong, Sancheong, Hamyang, Geochang, and Hapcheon counties in South Gyeongsang; Buyeo, Seocheon, Geumsan, and Yesan counties in South Chungcheong; Goesan, Boeun, Yeongdong, and Danyang counties in North Chungcheong; Hwacheon and Cheorwon counties in Gangwon; and Damyang County in South Jeolla, the zeal to host the program is spreading, with some regions even launching resident signature campaigns.
The Ministry of Agriculture had initially planned to announce the target areas this month, but decided to postpone the selection to next month after applications greatly exceeded expectations and some local governments requested a schedule delay amid concerns over overheated competition. The ministry plans to form an evaluation committee composed of private-sector experts in rural policy, basic income, balanced development, and local finance to select the final target areas through document and presentation reviews. "Given the great interest and expectations for the rural basic income pilot program, we will conduct the additional selection process fairly and without disruption," said Kang Dong-yoon, Director General for Rural Income and Energy Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture.
