Welfare Throughout Life, 10 Years of Branding... Uljin’s “Dual Pillars of Growth”

First Grand Prize for Lifelong Care, Uljin Snow Crab Wins for 10 Consecutive Years
Proving Competitiveness by Nurturing Both People and Resources

Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province has proven its competitiveness as a “city where people and industry coexist,” achieving national recognition in both welfare policy and local specialty products.

Uljin County announced that it received the Grand Prize in the “Lifelong Care City” category at the 2026 New York Festival Korea National Brand Awards. In addition, Uljin Snow Crab, the region’s signature seafood product, won the Grand Prize in the agricultural, marine, and livestock product brand snow crab category for the 10th consecutive year, marking an exceptional achievement of winning two awards simultaneously.

Uljin County Office. Photo by Byunggeon Kwon

This recognition is significant because it goes beyond a simple image evaluation, acknowledging both the sustainability of Uljin’s policies and the reliability of its local industries. In particular, the “Lifelong Care City” category is considered a symbolic result that demonstrates the competitive advantage of Uljin’s welfare system, which supports residents from birth to old age and throughout the end of life, on a national scale.

Uljin County has continuously expanded its customized policies for each stage of the life cycle to establish a welfare system that takes responsibility “from cradle to grave.” At the childbirth and child-rearing stage, the county has alleviated economic burdens by supporting families with multiple children and offering entrance celebration grants, while also expanding community-based care infrastructure to create a stable environment for raising children.

Universal welfare covering all aspects of daily life has also been strengthened. Free rural bus transportation, electricity bill support, expansion of safety insurance for residents, emergency welfare aid, and integrated medical and nursing care services have become key policies that residents can directly feel in their everyday lives.

Responding to the super-aged society is also a central focus. Uljin County is enhancing the health safety net by providing practical support such as subsidies for bathing, dental, and hairdressing services, side dish support for senior centers, and expanding job opportunities for seniors, as well as by increasing vaccination and health checkups and building a regional healthcare system centered around Uljin County Medical Center.

The county has also established a structure in which public institutions take responsibility for the final stage of life. Through the Uljin County Memorial Park, burial, cremation, natural burial, and enshrinement services are provided, completing a welfare system that supports a dignified end of life. This comprehensive welfare system is evaluated as serving not only as an administrative service but also as a core strategy to address local population decline.

Uljin’s competitiveness also stands out in the industrial sector. Uljin Snow Crab reaffirmed its status as Korea’s representative seafood by receiving high marks in the National Brand Competitiveness Index (NCI) assessment. In particular, the record of winning the Grand Prize for 10 consecutive years symbolizes sustained brand trust and consistent quality management.

Uljin Snow Crab is notable for its deep flavor and sweetness, having grown in the nutrient-rich waters near Wangdolcho. In addition, local fishers are building a sustainable fishing foundation by voluntarily engaging in resource conservation activities such as complying with the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), managing closed seasons, using biodegradable fishing gear, and collecting abandoned fishing nets.

Uljin County and North Gyeongsang Province are also raising quality competitiveness and consumer trust by establishing snow crab nurseries and managing brand certification for “Wangdolcho Bakdal Snow Crab” and “Wangdolcho Hotge.”

An Uljin County official stated, “It is meaningful that our welfare policy, which takes responsibility for all aspects of residents’ lives, has been recognized as a national brand,” adding, “We will continue to further expand Uljin-style welfare that residents can truly experience.” The official also emphasized, “Uljin Snow Crab is likewise a result of cooperation between fishers and the administration. We will develop into a city where welfare and industry grow in a balanced way.”

Uljin’s recent achievements clearly show where the survival strategy for local communities should lie. Only when welfare that protects people and industries that preserve resources work together can a region transform from a place where people merely stay to a city that is actively chosen. Uljin’s dual awards offer more than just results—they set a new standard for regional competitiveness.

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