Five More Rural and Fishery Areas to be Selected for Basic Income Pilot Program Next Month

The government will select five additional locations next month for the 'rural and fishery basic income' pilot project, which provides a regular fixed amount to residents in rural and fishing areas. This expansion of the project will provide more rural and fishing areas with opportunities to receive economic support. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will invest an additional budget of 70.6 billion won to select five more county areas, in addition to the existing 10 regions. The announcement is expected to begin as early as this month, with selection work to be completed next month. Specific selection criteria and application procedures are scheduled to be announced within this month.

Bonghwa County and Cheongsong County in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province are reapplying for the additional selection. Bonghwa County and Cheongsong County, among others, are preparing for a renewed bid based on their experience of being eliminated in last year's competition, and are reviewing detailed guidelines. Cheongsong County estimates an annual budget of approximately 13 billion won will be required, based on a population of 24,000, but maintains its intention to participate despite the financial burden.

In Yeongyang County, Gyeongbuk, the population has recovered to 16,000 after 59 years since the implementation of the rural and fishery basic income. The population growth rate over the past six months was the highest in Gyeongbuk at 5.4%. Consumption of basic income funds exceeded 5.3 billion won in just 50 days. Yeongyang County supplemented the basic income with an additional 50,000 won per month from its own county budget, totaling 200,000 won. Muju County in Jeollabuk-do has been independently implementing an annual basic income of 800,000 won since last month.