As the population decline in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, continues, the city has fallen below the critical threshold of 620,000 residents.

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

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

This year, Jeonju's population has fallen every month: 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 down last month.

A total of 4,392 people have left over the span of just seven months. Last month in particular recorded the steepest monthly decline, with the population dropping by over 1,000 in a single month.

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 decreased to 657,269 in 2021, 651,495 in 2022, 642,727 in 2023, 635,651 in 2024, and 625,437 in 2025.

Key drivers behind the steep population plunge include falling birth rates, an increase in deaths, and the exodus of young adults aged 20 to 39 to the Seoul metropolitan area and neighboring regions such as Wanju County.

Jeonju is rolling out comprehensive response measures, including improvements to housing and cultural infrastructure, expansion of job opportunities, increased support for public housing targeting young people and newlyweds, interest support for keyof-housing loans for newlyweds, and the reinforcement of job programs for seniors.

An official from Jeonju stated that the collapse of the 620,000 population mark serves as a strong warning that an urgent overhaul of the city's overall functional framework is needed, adding that the city will create quality jobs for young people to settle down and swiftly implement tailored policies across different life stages to halt the downward population trend.

(Photo: Yonhap News)