Goheung County Ranks First Nationwide in Attracting Return-to-Farming Residents... Proves Status as Leading Return-to-Farming Region

153 Return-to-Farming Residents Recorded in 2025 Statistics
Achievement of a Systematic and Differentiated Administrative Support System

Goheung County, South Jeolla Province (Governor Gong Youngmin), announced on the 3rd that it ranked first among 228 cities, counties, and districts nationwide by recording 153 return-to-farming residents in the 2025 statistics released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

This achievement is the result of a systematic and differentiated administrative support system, once again reaffirming Goheung County's status as a leading region in return-to-farming and rural migration in Korea.

Goheung County ranked first among 228 cities, counties, and districts nationwide by recording 153 returnee farmers in the 2025 Return-to-Farming and Return-to-Rural Living statistics announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Provided by Goheung County

Goheung County has consistently maintained a top-tier performance in return-to-farming over the past five years nationwide. By achieving first place this year, the county has received external recognition for its stable foundation for settlement and excellence in customized support policies.

In 2018, the county established a dedicated population policy department for the first time in the country, comprehensively promoting return-to-farming and rural migration policies. In particular, it operates the county-run "Return-to-Farming and Rural Happiness School," offering agricultural technology training and rural adaptation education to prospective returnees.

Additionally, the county operates "Returnee Houses" and temporary residential facilities, providing opportunities for actual residency and hands-on farming experiences to support stable settlement for newcomers.

Relatively affordable farmland and housing prices, a mild climate, abundant agricultural and marine resources, and a pleasant natural environment have been analyzed as key factors that lead urban residents to choose Goheung as a new place to live. On top of this, practical settlement support policies—such as financial assistance for farmhouse renovations, access to startup capital, and mentoring from advanced farms—have further increased satisfaction and settlement rates among returnees.

Looking ahead, the county plans to focus not only on population influx but also on ensuring stable settlement and preventing out-migration. To this end, it will strengthen post-settlement management systems for returnees, continue to operate a mentoring group of veteran returnees, expand community programs with local residents, support youth returnee entrepreneurship, and enhance smart agriculture education.

Furthermore, Goheung County will simultaneously pursue regional development strategies linked to the space launch vehicle industry, revitalize rural tourism, and implement policies to expand the resident population. These efforts aim to establish a long-term settlement foundation for young people and family units returning to farming and rural life, thereby contributing to sustainable rural vitality.

Governor Gong Youngmin stated, "Achieving the number one position in attracting return-to-farming residents nationwide is a valuable result created together by returnees and local residents. We will continue to do our utmost to provide systematic support and foster co-prosperity within the community, making Goheung the most livable settlement city for return-to-farming and rural migrants in Korea."

Meanwhile, Goheung County has been selected as an excellent local government for three consecutive years in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' annual evaluation of return-to-farming and rural migration support performance. The county has also received the "Korea Brand Hall of Fame" award in the return-to-farming category for seven consecutive years and the highest honor in Jeollanam-do's comprehensive evaluation of return-to-farming and fishing for two consecutive years, reaffirming its external competitiveness and leadership as a representative city for return-to-farming and rural migration in Korea.

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