"150,000 Won Provided Monthly"... 39.1 Billion Won Injection Brings Buzz to Local Areas

The pilot project for a rural and fishing village basic income, implemented in Jangsu-gun, Sunchang-gun, Jinan-gun, and Muju-gun in Jeollabuk-do, is generating population inflows and a virtuous economic cycle.

According to Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, compared to before the selection of the pilot project, the population of Jangsu-gun increased by 1,399 and Sunchang-gun by 2,175 as of the end of June.

Jinan-gun and Muju-gun also saw inflows of 398 and 230 residents, respectively.

Jeonbuk Province analyzed that this project, which provides 150,000 won per month in local currency, is serving as an incentive for people returning to farming and rural villages to settle down.

As of the end of June, the local currency disbursement reached 39.1 billion won for 43,642 recipients, of which approximately 28.8 billion won, or 73%, was found to have been spent within the region.

By business type, restaurants accounted for the largest share at 6.9 billion won or 24%, followed by supermarkets and groceries at 3.9 billion won or 14%, and gas stations at 2.7 billion won or 9%.

Growth in commercial districts is also notable.

Affiliated stores accepting the basic income increased by 469 from the initial 4,097, and 67 of these are newly opened stores.

Forty-one new stores opened in eup (town) areas, while 26 opened in myeon (township) areas, where forming commercial districts has been relatively difficult.

Local reactions are also positive.

According to the 2026 second-quarter basic income pilot project survey conducted by Jeonbuk Province last month targeting 1,283 residents and affiliated store owners, 70% of respondents answered that the basic income helped improve social services and reside in the region.

Min Sun-shik, Director-General of Agriculture, Life and Livestock Industry Bureau at Jeonbuk Province, stated, "The rural basic income is creating a virtuous economic ecosystem that leads to population influx and commercial district recovery," adding, "We will refine the policy to complete it as the best model for revitalizing rural areas."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.