Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
Rural income plans draw applications and protests in South Korea
South Korea is preparing a 2027 rural basic income pilot to support residents in areas facing population decline.
In South Gyeongsang province, officials recommended only Sancheong County out of nine eligible counties for the national application.
Local groups and opposition parties say the decision blocked the other counties from applying and have called for the selection criteria and financial reasoning to be made public.
They also argue the province should find a way to let all nine counties take part, while officials cited budget limits and financial pressure.
In neighboring North Gyeongsang, Bonghwa County has applied for the third time to join the pilot.
Its proposal would provide 20,000 won per resident each month in local gift certificates, combining 150,000 won in government support with 50,000 won from the county.
Payments depend on Bonghwa being selected, and the county says it aims to begin applications in January 2027 and make its first payment in February.
South Gyeongsang Province recommended only Sancheong County for a 2027 rural basic-income pilot, prompting protests from local political groups and community advocates.
The province cited budget shortages and fiscal burdens for limiting its recommendation to one of its nine population-decline counties.
Bonghwa County in North Gyeongsang Province submitted its application on November 3, proposing monthly payments of 200,000 won per resident if selected.
Critics said South Gyeongsang Province had denied eight counties the chance to apply and called for its selection criteria and financial reasoning to be made public.
The national government says it plans to expand the pilot while taking local fiscal conditions into account.
- Who
- South Gyeongsang Province, Bonghwa County, and critics including local political groups and community advocates.
- What
- The province recommended one county for a rural basic-income pilot, while Bonghwa applied separately and protests followed the province’s decision.
- When
- Bonghwa submitted its application on November 3, 2026; protests over South Gyeongsang Province’s decision were reported on November 4.
- Where
- South Korea, including South Gyeongsang Province and Bonghwa County in North Gyeongsang Province.
- Why
- The pilot aims to support residents in population-decline rural areas and stimulate local economies; South Gyeongsang Province cited budget shortages and fiscal burdens.
South Gyeongsang Province
Local critics
Application recommendations
South Gyeongsang Province
The province recommended Sancheong County alone, citing budget shortages and fiscal burdens.
Local critics
Critics said the province improperly blocked the other eight counties from applying.
Financial approach
South Gyeongsang Province
Not stated beyond the province’s cited budget shortages and fiscal burdens.
Local critics
Critics questioned why the province had funded a separate 328.8 billion won resident support payment but cited financial burdens for the rural basic-income pilot.
Bonghwa County submitted its application for the 2027 rural basic-income pilot.
Reports said South Gyeongsang Province had recommended only Sancheong County among its nine population-decline counties, prompting criticism and protests.
- South Gyeongsang recommendation
- 1 of 9 counties: Sancheong
- Bonghwa application
- Submitted November 3, 2026
- Proposed Bonghwa payment
- 200,000 won per resident each month, if selected
- Proposed funding
- 150,000 won in government support plus 50,000 won from Bonghwa County
- Proposed first payment
- February 2027, following applications planned for January
- South Gyeongsang resident payment cited by critics
- 328.8 billion won in province-funded support at 100,000 won per resident
3 sources
What people are saying
The final selection authority belongs to the central ministry, but denying even the opportunity to submit application documents has trampled on the earnest hopes of rural residents facing an existential crisis.
The rural basic income promoted by the Lee Jae-myung government is not cash support but a national balanced-development policy responding to population decline and regional extinction, yet South Gyeongsang Province is out of step with national policy.
Rural basic income is a key project that will bring new vitality to Bonghwa, which faces the threat of population extinction.