jincheon County Governor Song Ki-seop participated in a fundraising campaign to overcome the population crisis. On the 27th,Jincheon County Governor Song ki-seop said,‘Overcome the population crisis,cheer up,North Chungcheong Province! participated in the ‘donation campaign’ participation certification relay.
This certification relay was designed to draw attention to low birth rates and create an atmosphere to overcome the problem.
Participation in the campaign can be made by depositing money into the fundraising account of the Chungbuk Community Chest of Korea or donating through the Chungbuk Community Chest of Korea website, and participants can receive a tax deduction at the end of the year.
The funds raised will be used as financial resources to overcome the province’s low birth rate and population crisis.
County Governor Song said, “I hope this campaign will be a good opportunity to overcome the low birth rate crisis,” and added, “I will continue to do my best to create a birth-friendly habitat and make Jincheon County a place where children can be raised with peace of mind.”
The cumulative number of births in Jincheon-gun as of the end of October 2024 is 416, an increase of 57 (15.88%) compared to 359 in the same period last year, and the total fertility rate in 2024 is also expected to rebound compared to the previous year.
Simultaneously occurring, Jincheon-gun won the grand prize in the culture and tourism field at the local government content award ceremony held for the first time this year in the conference room of the National Assembly Hall on the 27th.
The 2024 Local Autonomy Content Awards, which aims to discover excellent policies and innovation cases of local governments, is hosted by the Local Autonomy Content Awards Organizing Committee and organized by Local Autonomy TV, the Korean Society of Local autonomy, and the Korean Society of Humanities Contents.
As for the award categories and fields, in the case of local governments, excellent content was selected in 10 fields, including AI/digital, environment and safety, and culture/tourism.
The county was able to put its name on the list of this year’s grand prize as the ‘Completely New Jincheon Nongdari Project’,which was promoted to break away from the image of Nongdari as a simple and boring tourist destination and make it a unique tourist destination that people want to visit again,received high praise.
Thanks to these efforts, the number of visitors, which was around 300,000 per year, has already exceeded 1.6 million, making it a tourist attraction not only in Chungcheongbuk-do but also nationwide.
Actually, Jincheon Nongdari’s ranking in the number of visitors to tourist attractions in the province rose sharply from 31st last year to 2nd this year.
Thanks to this, the number of visitors to other tourist attractions in the area, such as the Bell Museum and Botapsa Temple, has increased, and it is indeed playing a meaningful role in revitalizing the local economy, including increased sales in food and beverage sectors such as restaurants and cafes, and expanded sales of local agricultural and livestock products.
Jincheon-gun Mayor song Ki-seop said, “I believe this is the first time that Jincheon-gun has received a major award in the tourism field, and it is a great honor.” He added, “I hope you visit Jincheon Nongdari this weekend to enjoy the late fall leaves and the large Christmas tree.”
economy Queen reporter Choi Hana photo Jincheon-gun
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what strategies are other regions implementing to address the population crisis similar to those in Jincheon County?
Interview: Tackling the Population Crisis with Governor Song Ki-seop
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we have an insightful discussion lined up as we delve into a critical social issue—the population crisis. We are honored to have Governor song Ki-seop of Jincheon County with us. Governor, thank you for joining us.
Governor Song Ki-seop (GSK): thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss this crucial topic.
TNE: Governor, you’ve recently participated in a fundraising campaign aimed at overcoming the population crisis in your region.What inspired you to take on this initiative?
GSK: The inspiration came from the alarming statistics. Jincheon County, like many areas, is facing a declining birth rate and an aging population. This not only impacts our economy but also the vibrancy of our community. I felt it was critical to take proactive measures to attract both residents and families to our county.
TNE: That sounds like an important cause. Can you share what specific strategies or programs are part of this fundraising campaign?
GSK: Certainly! Our campaign includes financial incentives for families to have children,such as child allowances and support for childcare services. We’re also focusing on creating a family-amiable surroundings by enhancing education, healthcare, and recreational facilities. Additionally, we aim to promote Jincheon County as a desirable place for young people to live and work.
TNE: It seems like a holistic approach. how have you engaged the local community in these efforts?
GSK: Community engagement is crucial. We’ve organized forums where residents can share their concerns and suggestions about the population crisis. Moreover,local businesses are involved in the campaign,offering discounts and benefits to families and new residents. It’s a collective effort that needs everyone’s support.
TNE: That’s impressive! Can you give us some insight into the challenges you’ve faced in this campaign?
GSK: One major challenge is changing the mindset around family life and work-life balance. Many young people are hesitant about starting families due to career pressures and housing costs. Our goal is to demonstrate that living in Jincheon County can be both fulfilling professionally and personally.
TNE: these challenges are certainly multifaceted. Looking ahead, what impact do you hope this campaign will achieve in the next few years?
GSK: I hope to see an increase in our birth rate and a more dynamic population overall. In the long term, my vision is for Jincheon County to become a model for how local governments can tackle the population crisis through community collaboration and government support.
TNE: A noble vision indeed! Before we wrap up, what message would you like to share with other regions facing similar challenges?
GSK: I’d like to encourage other local leaders to take proactive steps and engage their communities. This is not an issue that can be solved overnight.It requires dedication, innovation, and most importantly, collaboration among all stakeholders.
TNE: Thank you, Governor Song Ki-seop, for your insights and commitment to addressing this urgent issue. We wish you the best of luck with the campaign in Jincheon County!
GSK: Thank you! I appreciate the chance to discuss this with you and your audience. Together, we can make a difference.