Inje County, located in Gangwon Province, announced that it has established a legal basis to reduce the support gap resulting from the classification of local support indices into two regions. However, the regional classification will remain in place, and specific projects and budget allocations are still pending.
According to Inje County, the Ministry of Interior and Safety introduced a new provision for additional support for areas affected by population decline in the 'Regulations on the Operation and Management of Local Support Indices,' which took effect on November 3. This regulation was published as Notice No. 2026-66.
The county explained that the newly established Article 4, Section 3 allows heads of central administrative agencies to provide additional support to areas affected by population decline as necessary, depending on the characteristics of their policies and projects. This provision was not included in the draft announced on October 21, reflecting the community's demand for addressing support disparities and improving the system.
This provision is significant as it serves as a basis for negotiating additional support among various ministries before any regional adjustments. Although Inje County's request for a change to four regions was not granted, it has opened a path for requesting support that considers local conditions under the current classification.
However, additional support is not mandatory. The mere establishment of this provision does not guarantee an increase in support rates or confirmed benefits for residents. The actual impact will depend on how each ministry incorporates this into their project criteria and budgets. The target for this provision is not limited to Inje County but includes all areas affected by population decline.
The local support index determines the level of support for regions based on factors such as distance from Seoul, socio-economic development, and the risk of regional extinction due to population decline. Central ministries utilize this index according to the characteristics of their respective policies and projects.
Inje County has been advocating for a reassessment to ensure that the development constraints of border and mountainous areas are adequately reflected in evaluations. Following the submission of an official opinion letter requesting improvements to the evaluation criteria and adjustments to the four regions on October 20, the county held a press conference at the Gangwon Provincial Office on October 22.
On October 27 and 28, Inje County organized protests in front of the National Assembly and submitted a petition to the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. A petition signed by 8,794 residents was also submitted to the Ministry of Interior and Safety.
County Mayor Choi Sang-ki met with Minister of Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung on October 30 at the Government Sejong Office to discuss the adjustment of the four regions, the additional designation of areas affected by population decline, and measures to prevent disadvantages for residents. According to the county, Minister Yoon expressed a willingness to actively consider the reclassification of regions and to pursue specific measures, including negotiations with relevant ministries and budget planning, to ensure that there are no disadvantages in support and benefits for residents.
The county views the recent regulatory amendment as the first achievement of the community's joint efforts but maintains that it is not a substitute for regional adjustments. In preparation for the reassessment of the local support index scheduled for March next year, Inje County plans to continue advocating for changes to the four regions.
Before the reassessment, the county will continue discussions with ministries to ensure that the basis for additional support is reflected in government projects and budgets. It will also pursue improvements to evaluation criteria that reflect the uniqueness and underdevelopment of border areas, as well as the additional designation of areas affected by population decline. The residents' emergency response committee will also remain active to monitor the government's reassessment and follow-up actions.
Mayor Choi stated, "The establishment of this new provision is significant as it represents the first achievement made through the collective efforts of residents, social organizations, the political community, and the media. It is crucial that the newly established basis for additional support translates into tangible benefits that residents can feel."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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