Hamyang County Excluded from Gyeongsangnam-do's Recommendations for Rural Basic Income Pilot; Continues Urging Policy Improvements

Gyeongsangnam-do Recommends Sancheong County Among 9 Applicants, Citing Fiscal Burden and Program Sustainability
Hamyang County Excluded Despite Efforts to Attract Program, Including Dedicated Team and Community Support
Urges Expanded National Funding and Joint Participation by Neighboring Areas; Plans Policies to Address Population Decline

Hamyang County in Gyeongsangnam-do was excluded from the province's list of recommended candidates for the additional call for applications for the 2027 pilot program for basic income in rural and fishing communities. While expressing disappointment with the outcome, the county said it would continue urging the government to improve the system and expand the program.

According to the county, on November 4, Gyeongsangnam-do selected Sancheong County as its candidate for recommendation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs from among nine counties in the province that applied for the additional call for applications for the pilot program.

Gyeongsangnam-do said it selected the recommended county after comprehensively considering its fiscal conditions in light of the provincial government's share of the costs, the potential impact on existing support programs for residents, and the program's sustainability.

[Photo provided by Hamyang County] Hamyang County Office. As Hamyang County was excluded from Gyeongsangnam-do’s recommendations for the additional call for proposals for the 2027 Rural Basic Income Pilot Program, it plans to continue urging the government to improve the system, including by expanding national funding and establishing a joint implementation framework for each region.

As a result, Hamyang County was not included among the province's recommended candidates. The county will also have to adjust the direction of its efforts to attract the pilot program, which it has pursued to date, depending on whether the government expands the application process or changes the system in the future.

Hamyang County has sought to attract the program because it believes the pilot program for basic income in rural and fishing communities could help stabilize residents' livelihoods, increase local consumption, and revitalize small businesses and local commercial districts.

The county maintains that policy support such as basic income for rural and fishing communities is needed, particularly given the conditions in rural areas facing population decline and an aging population.

In September, the county formed a dedicated team for the basic income program and established a system to respond to the application process.

Local village chiefs' groups and agricultural organizations also took part in resolutions supporting the program and promotional activities. During the Hamyang Wild Ginseng Festival, the county and agricultural organizations jointly informed residents and visitors about the program's purpose and necessity.

The county also made administrative and institutional preparations for participating in the program, including pursuing the enactment of a related ordinance.

However, after Gyeongsangnam-do selected Sancheong County for recommendation, citing fiscal burdens and the program's sustainability, Hamyang County was not included among the province's recommended candidates for this additional application process.

The county said it understood Gyeongsangnam-do's fiscal conditions and selection criteria, while noting that the realities of areas experiencing population decline and residents' demand for policy support need to be adequately reflected.

In particular, the county said institutional measures are needed to address the potential support gap between neighboring areas experiencing population decline if the pilot program is implemented in only a limited number of areas.

In October, Hamyang County had asked Song Miryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to establish a joint implementation framework for each region, taking into account that neighboring areas experiencing population decline form a shared living and economic zone.

The county also asked the government to increase the proportion of funding from the national government, expand the areas eligible for the program, and develop measures to promote mutual benefit between selected areas and neighboring areas that were not selected.

The county believes the government should consider how to implement the policy so that the pilot program for basic income in rural and fishing communities contributes not only to supporting specific areas but also to stabilizing livelihoods and revitalizing local economies throughout areas experiencing population decline.

Jin Byeongyeong, head of Hamyang County, said, "I thank the county residents who worked together to help bring the pilot program for basic income in rural and fishing communities to our area. While we are disappointed by the recommendation outcome, we will continue our policy efforts to address population decline in rural areas and local economic challenges."

He added, "We will continue urging the government to improve the system, including by developing ways for neighboring areas to participate jointly and expanding national government funding, and will pursue initiatives to address population decline that suit local conditions."

Meanwhile, Hamyang County plans to monitor government policies related to basic income for rural and fishing communities and progress in the application process, while urging the government to establish a joint implementation framework for each region and improve the system for providing financial support.

The county also plans to consider locally tailored policies linked to existing initiatives addressing population decline, including improving living conditions in rural areas, creating jobs, and revitalizing the local economy.

To ensure fairness between regions and the sustainability of the pilot program for basic income in rural and fishing communities, the burden of local government funding needs to be eased and support for neighboring areas experiencing population decline needs to be considered.

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