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Issue Briefing
Right innovation, Right path, New Jeonbuk
Projected Population Recovery of 2 Million Residents in Jeonbuk Province through Increased Enrollment of International Students
  • Member
  • Heejin Jun
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Population decline, regional immigration program, international students, harmonious coexistence
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Content

○ This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the population decline crisis within the Jeonbuk region, introduces strategies to mitigate this trend, and outlines potential pathways for achieving local economic revitalization by implementing regional immigration policies. In response to the proactive measures undertaken by governmental authorities to address population decline and the challenges posed by an aging demographic, including the establishment of an "immigration agency" and the expansion of immigration policies such as the 'pilot visa program' (e.g., 지역특화형비자) along with the relaxation of regulations concerning international students, Jeonbuk similarly necessitates the development of immigration policy initiatives tailored to its diverse constituents, aligning with the specific requirements of the region.

○ The foreign population residing in Jeonbuk exhibited a continuous increase before contracting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, among the registered foreign residents, the working-age population (aged 15-64) constitutes a substantial 96.1%, underscoring the potential efficacy of active immigration policies as viable remedies for the challenges posed by an aging population within Jeonbuk Province.

○ The enactment of specialized legislation within the immigration domain, concurrent with establishing of the "Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province," presents a promising opportunity to diversify and enhance the region's demographic composition. Considering this overarching objective, three pivotal points are proposed.

○ Firstly, addressing the growing labor demand in emerging technology sectors like secondary batteries necessitates the creation of a tailored curriculum and dedicated facilities to attract international students from technology-specialized high schools within Jeonbuk Province. This comprehensive approach encompasses the provision of targeted technical education and the seamless facilitation of the transition from academia to gainful employment upon graduation. Second, international university students, who constitute a significant portion of the youth demographic, should be offered incentives, including expedited residency pathways for exceptional talents in science and technology. Third, expanding provisions for accompanying family members, refining support systems for international students throughout their academic tenure, and providing comprehensive information about post-graduation employment prospects within the region are all essential in promoting their successful integration and settlement within Jeonbuk.

○ Additionally, the pilot implementation of regionally customized visa programs, currently underway in regions grappling with population decline, warrants regional-level exploration, specifically within Jeonbuk Province. Proposing a regional model holds the potential to facilitate symbiotic collaborations between indigenous businesses and educational institutions.

○ Beyond the quantitative augmentation of immigrant inflow through foreign policy strategies, there is an urgent imperative to cultivate a society that fosters harmonious coexistence with immigrants, necessitating enhancements to the overall framework of immigrant support systems. 

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