Busan:South Korea has added three more municipalities to its list of "depopulation" areas, raising the total to 92 regions at risk of regional extinction.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Interior Ministry has newly designated Geumjeong Ward in the southeastern city of Busan, Dongducheon just north of Seoul, and the southeastern city of Tongyeong as depopulation areas. This update adds to the country's existing 89 regions identified in 2021 for intensive support to combat shrinking populations.
South Korea continues to grapple with low birth rates and an overcrowded capital region, leaving many areas with declining populations. The updated list encompasses 16 areas from South Jeolla Province, 15 from North Gyeongsang Province, and 12 each from South Gyeongsang and Gangwon Provinces. Additionally, 10 areas from North Jeolla Province, nine from South Chungcheong Province, and six from North Chungcheong Province are included.
In response to this crisis, the government has instituted a local extinction response fund, allocating 1 trillion won (US$747 million) annually to support efforts aimed at addressing the population decline. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung emphasized the government's commitment to providing tailored support to the affected areas.