Yeongam County in South Jeolla Province is prioritizing a 'Basic Society' as the core of its new administration, expanding policies directly related to residents' daily lives, including income, care, finance, housing, and transportation.
The county will continue key policies from the previous administration, such as the agricultural policy transformation and the local currency 'Wolchul Pay,' as part of its main agenda.
On September 16, Yeongam County reported that re-elected Mayor Woo Seung-hee recently outlined the direction of the new administration during discussions with residents from 11 towns and villages, emphasizing the Basic Society, agricultural policy transformation, and local circular economy as key policy pillars.
The envisioned Basic Society focuses on providing essential services for residents, including income, care, healthcare, housing, and transportation, at the local level.
□ Rural Basic Income Distributed Twice... Expanding Energy Profit Sharing
In the area of basic income, the county distributed a rural basic income of 100,000 won per resident in the first half of this year.
According to the county, out of 50,830 eligible residents, 48,944 received the payment, achieving a distribution rate of 96%. An additional 100,000 won was distributed in September for the Chuseok holiday.
The basic income is provided in the form of the local currency, Wolchul Pay, linking resident support with local consumption.
In the new administration, the policy of returning renewable energy profits to residents will also be expanded.
In Sinan Jeong Village, residents earn about 7 million won annually from solar power, while Song San Village in Seoho earns about 5 million won. Wolam Village in Gunseo began solar power generation in January, and Jukjeong Village in Gunseo and Yeongpung Village in Seoho have also been selected as solar income villages.
Yeongam County aims to provide a monthly rural basic income of 150,000 won to all residents by linking renewable energy clusters and community power plants.
□ Expanding Basic Society to Include Care, Finance, and Youth Housing
In the care and healthcare sectors, the county operates a 'Visiting Community Doctor' program. According to the county, the cumulative number of users from 2023 to June this year reached 60,595.
The county has also launched public late-night pharmacies in Yeongam and Samho, as well as pediatric services. The number of participants in senior job programs increased from 1,582 to 2,339, and the number of collaborative workspaces for senior centers expanded from one to 16.
In the new administration, plans include establishing an integrated care system that connects healthcare, nursing, and housing through the Yeongam Welfare Foundation and the Welfare Hope Fund.
In finance, the county operates the 'Angel Fund,' which provides interest-free, unsecured, and non-guaranteed loans. The county reported that 77 cases have raised 150 million won in donations from businesses and residents, supporting 52 residents in crisis with up to 5 million won each.
In the new administration, this will be expanded into the 'Yeongam-style Local Circular Economy Fund,' along with initiatives to activate farmland and vacant house banks.
Youth policies will also be expanded to integrate housing, education, and employment.
Of the 200 public housing units agreed upon with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), 115 have been supplied, and programs for youth hope savings accounts, marriage incentives, and housing cost support for job seekers are being implemented.
Plans include introducing a tuition responsibility system for youth and supplying an additional 300 public rental housing units.
□ AI Call Bus Serves 220,000 Users... Transportation as a Basic Right
In transportation, the county is expanding its demand-responsive 'Yeongam-style AI Call Bus.'
When users request a ride, the AI determines the route. According to the county, the cumulative number of users has surpassed 220,000. Currently, 37 rural buses and call buses operate free of charge on 70 routes.
In the new administration, plans include expanding integrated transportation services that connect buses and taxis and improving the Bus Information System (BIS). The number of low-floor buses will increase from five to 21 by 2030.
□ Agricultural Policy Transformation: From Production to Processing, Distribution, and Sales
The agricultural policy transformation initiated in the previous administration focuses on enhancing farm income by connecting production with processing, distribution, and sales.
The county reported selling 487 tons of agricultural products, generating 1.9 billion won in revenue through partnerships with companies like Coupang, Daejeon Seongsimdang, Yamsam Gimbap, and Baekok Coffee.
The 'Yeongam Farmer Namsaeng Distribution Market' operates to purchase and sell products from small and elderly farmers, and the county is also developing processed products such as traditional liquor, Daebong persimmon wine, fig products, and Yeongam Hanwoo beef jerky.
In the new administration, the county plans to connect production, processing, distribution, and sales through the Yeongam Agricultural and Food Distribution Center.
The integrated rice processing plant (RPC) in Gunseo, capable of processing and storing 30,000 tons of rice annually, along with processing centers in Yeongam-eup, local food complex sales centers in Samho-eup, and the Yeongam Food Integrated Support Center will be utilized.
To address labor shortages in rural areas, the number of seasonal foreign workers has increased from 70 in 2022 to 1,321 this year. The county plans to expand this to 2,000 by 2030 through dedicated organizations and public seasonal labor programs.
□ Wolchul Pay Surpasses 40 Billion Won... Creating a Local Economic Circulation
The local currency 'Wolchul Pay' is a key tool for the local circular economy.
As of the end of July this year, Yeongam County reported 37,000 members and 2,326 affiliated stores, with the total issuance exceeding 40 billion won.
Wolchul Pay is linked with public delivery apps like 'Meokgaebi,' Yeongam Taxi, Yeongam Travel 1+1, Ondol Savings, and Yeongam Mall, and the rural basic income is also distributed through Wolchul Pay.
The county is expanding local coexistence projects that connect companies in the Daebul Industrial Complex with local farmers.
The purchase volume of Yeongam rice by companies increased from 4,613 bags in 2024 to 12,514 bags last year, with 9,251 bags sold by July this year. The cumulative purchase amount of agricultural products is reported at 1.88 billion won.
This Chuseok, the county plans to supply local businesses with 560 million won worth of seven types of Yeongam agricultural products.
Yeongam County aims to broaden cooperation with local companies and expand regular employment for youth in the new administration.
Mayor Woo Seung-hee stated, “If we confirmed Yeongam's potential over the past four years, the new administration will be a time to complete change and innovation. The goal of all changes is to improve the lives of residents, and we will implement policies that residents can feel in their daily lives.”
Meanwhile, Yeongam County plans to pursue energy transition using renewable energy, along with the Basic Society, agricultural policy transformation, and local circular economy as major administrative tasks. The county aims to respond to population decline and regional economic stagnation by linking income, welfare, agriculture, transportation, and local currency policies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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