Jeongseon County to Launch Full-Scale 2026 Rural Vacant House Maintenance... Aiming to Create a "Desirable Place to Stay"

Jeongseon County in Gangwon Province announced on February 1 that it will begin full-scale implementation of the 2026 Rural Vacant House Maintenance Project. The initiative aims to systematically renovate and utilize abandoned houses in rural areas to improve the residential environment and establish a foundation for population inflow.

Jeongseon County Office building. Provided by Jeongseon County

First, the county plans to conduct a demand survey for the Rural Vacant House Maintenance Project in January 2026 to closely assess the current status of vacant houses and the need for maintenance within the region. This survey serves as a preliminary step to address deteriorating residential environments and safety issues caused by long-term abandoned houses. Based on the survey results, the county will gradually proceed with supporting project participants and implementing the maintenance work in stages.

The Rural Vacant House Maintenance Project will provide differentiated support depending on the building area and roof material. In 2025, a total of 13 houses were renovated, and this year, a project budget of 40 million won will be allocated to carry out applications and maintenance work in earnest from February to November 2026. Through these efforts, the county aims not only to improve village landscapes but also to substantially enhance rural living conditions.

Park Byungtae, Director of Urban Affairs, stated, "If left unattended, vacant houses become a burden for the community, but if properly utilized, they can become assets for attracting new residents and revitalizing villages. Through vacant house maintenance and utilization policies tailored to the circumstances of Jeongseon County, we will create a rural area that is pleasant to live in and a place where people want to stay."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.