Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Sejong City Government Complex. 2023.10.13
The South Korean government has selected seven additional regions, including Jin-an and Muju in North Jeolla Province and Cheongsong in North Gyeongsang Province, for its rural basic income pilot program. This expansion increases the number of pilot areas from 10 to 17.
On June 11, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the results of the application process for the rural basic income pilot program, which will run until next year. The newly selected regions include Hwacheon in Gangwon Province, Boeun in North Chungcheong Province, Jin-an and Muju in North Jeolla Province, Gurye and Boseong in South Jeolla Province, and Cheongsong in North Gyeongsang Province.
The rural basic income pilot program provides a monthly payment of 150,000 won (approximately $130) in local love gift certificates to all residents living in designated areas that have been classified as population decline regions. The ministry has been conducting pilot programs in 10 counties, including Yeoncheon, Jeongseon, Okcheon, Cheongyang, Jangsu, Sunchang, Gokseong, Sinan, Yeongyang, and Namhae, since this year to combat population decline.
A total of 44 counties applied for the program, resulting in a competitive ratio of 8.8 to 1. An evaluation committee composed of private experts in rural policy and basic income assessed the applications based on regional development indices, income return models, and local funding availability.
In this round of applications, Hwacheon County proposed a model that returns profits from its annual trout festival and shared community assets to fund the basic income, while Jin-an County presented a model focused on creating a solidarity fund and supporting entrepreneurship through the basic income.
Residents in the newly selected rural areas will undergo qualification checks, including application submissions and residency verifications, before receiving the basic income in the form of local love gift certificates starting in August. However, to prevent fraudulent claims, new residents will have to confirm their residency for 90 days after applying.
The ministry anticipates that the additional seven counties will experience positive economic impacts from the rural basic income program. In the initial 10 pilot counties, the population increased by 4.7% and the number of new businesses rose by 13.7%. The ministry expects that the income of rural residents in the newly selected areas will also increase, stimulating local consumption.
To support the implementation of the rural basic income, the ministry plans to provide close assistance through the Rural Basic Income Promotion Team. The budget for this year's rural basic income program is set at 70.6 billion won (approximately $63 million).
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong stated, "The rural basic income pilot program is an effective policy that can simultaneously improve residents' quality of life and revitalize the local economy. With the expansion of the target areas, we will do our utmost to support rural communities in overcoming the threat of extinction and regaining vitality."
On June 11, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the results of the application process for the rural basic income pilot program, which will run until next year. The newly selected regions include Hwacheon in Gangwon Province, Boeun in North Chungcheong Province, Jin-an and Muju in North Jeolla Province, Gurye and Boseong in South Jeolla Province, and Cheongsong in North Gyeongsang Province.
The rural basic income pilot program provides a monthly payment of 150,000 won (approximately $130) in local love gift certificates to all residents living in designated areas that have been classified as population decline regions. The ministry has been conducting pilot programs in 10 counties, including Yeoncheon, Jeongseon, Okcheon, Cheongyang, Jangsu, Sunchang, Gokseong, Sinan, Yeongyang, and Namhae, since this year to combat population decline.
A total of 44 counties applied for the program, resulting in a competitive ratio of 8.8 to 1. An evaluation committee composed of private experts in rural policy and basic income assessed the applications based on regional development indices, income return models, and local funding availability.
In this round of applications, Hwacheon County proposed a model that returns profits from its annual trout festival and shared community assets to fund the basic income, while Jin-an County presented a model focused on creating a solidarity fund and supporting entrepreneurship through the basic income.
Residents in the newly selected rural areas will undergo qualification checks, including application submissions and residency verifications, before receiving the basic income in the form of local love gift certificates starting in August. However, to prevent fraudulent claims, new residents will have to confirm their residency for 90 days after applying.
The ministry anticipates that the additional seven counties will experience positive economic impacts from the rural basic income program. In the initial 10 pilot counties, the population increased by 4.7% and the number of new businesses rose by 13.7%. The ministry expects that the income of rural residents in the newly selected areas will also increase, stimulating local consumption.
To support the implementation of the rural basic income, the ministry plans to provide close assistance through the Rural Basic Income Promotion Team. The budget for this year's rural basic income program is set at 70.6 billion won (approximately $63 million).
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong stated, "The rural basic income pilot program is an effective policy that can simultaneously improve residents' quality of life and revitalize the local economy. With the expansion of the target areas, we will do our utmost to support rural communities in overcoming the threat of extinction and regaining vitality."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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