"Maginot Line Broken"... Jeonju Plunges into Emergency as Population Falls Below 620,000

As the downward trend in the population of Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, continues, the population has fallen below the 620,000 mark, which had been considered a critical threshold.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's resident registration population statistics, the registered population of Jeonju stood at 619,849 as of the end of last month.

This is a decrease of 1,025 people compared to June.

So far this year, Jeonju's population has decreased every month, recording 624,241 in January, 623,433 in February, 622,915 in March, 622,242 in April, 621,760 in May, 620,874 in June, and further dropping last month.

A total of 4,392 people have left over the span of just seven months, with last month recording the largest single-month drop as the population plummeted by over 1,000.

Jeonju's population peaked at 657,432 in 2020 and has been on a downward trajectory every year since.

Looking at the figures by year, the population declined to 657,269 in 2021, 651,495 in 2022, 642,727 in 2023, 635,651 in 2024, and 625,437 in 2025.

The primary causes cited for the steep population decline include a falling birth rate, an increase in deaths, and the outflow of young adults aged 20 to 39 to the Seoul metropolitan area and neighboring regions such as Wanju County.

Jeonju is stepping up comprehensive response measures, including improving residential and cultural conditions, expanding job opportunities, increasing support for public housing for young adults and newlyweds, providing interest subsidies on Jeonse (lump-sum housing deposit) loans for newlyweds, and strengthening senior job programs.

An official from Jeonju stated that the collapse of the 620,000 population mark serves as an urgent warning that systemic improvements across the city's overall functions are critically needed, adding that the city will swiftly pursue customized life-cycle policies and create quality jobs where young people can settle to stem the population decline.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.