1. Study Objectives and Method

❚ Research background and purpose

￮ Korea experienced its first natural population decline in 2020, which has since accelerated. 

￮ Competition among local governments to attract population can result in adverse side effects, such as budget waste, owing to excessive competition. Thus, a novel living population-based policy was introduced as an alternative to the current population attraction policy targeting the resident registration population. 

￮ Prior to the introduction of the concept of living population, Jeonbuk State seriously considered undertaking various projects aimed at attracting new residents. However, little progress has been made in formulating relevant comprehensive plans since the official introduction of the concept of living population.

￮ As the central government’s population policy paradigm shifts from resident registration population to living population, Jeonbuk State must formulate policies to stimulate the inflow of living population into its region.

❚ Research scope and methods

￮ Cluster analysis was conducted to determine the number of subgroups among Jeonbuk’s 14 cities and counties based on living population. 

￮ In the first stage, hierarchical clustering employing Wards’ method was performed to categorize clusters based on a clustering schedule, icicle graphs, and a dendrogram. 

￮ One-way analysis of variance was conducted to identify the patterns and characteristics of each cluster based on the mean and standard deviation of 13 indicators related to the living population, which includes resident population, commuting population, visitors, and foreign population.

2. Conclusion and Policy Suggestion

❚ Categorization of living population

￮ The analysis of the characteristics of the 13 indicators of living population for areas in Jeonbuk experiencing population decline yielded four categories. 

­Jeongeup and Gimje: areas with a large population of residents encompassing all age demographics and foreigners; Namwon, Gochange County, and Buan County: areas with a large population in their 40s and 50s; Muju County: an area where individuals in their 20s and 30s stay for a day; Jinan, Jangsu, Imsil, and Sunchang counties: areas characterized by the highest proportion of aging population and the smallest size of resident population. 

❚ Jeonbuk State’s population attraction strategies

￮ (Master plans) Four master plans aimed at attracting the living population to Jeonbuk are as follows: heightened living population acceptance, extension of stay, population attraction tailored to stimulate regional vitality, and settlement induction. 

­Specifically, they include 1) increasing receptivity toward potential living population by broadening the understanding of diverse values and lifestyles, 2) revitalizing social and economic vitality through mid- and long-term stays, 3) attracting innovative population aiming to engage in region-specific projects rather than mere visitation, and 4) crafting population attraction strategies to encourage visitors to consider regional migration. 

￮ (Action plans) We developed four master plans, categorized the region’s living population, and proposed 20 major projects from about 100 potential project opportunities. 

­(Cluster 1) Educating the living population to increase acceptance, developing special zones for foreign tourism regional development, supporting urban young adults in their regional pursuits, and providing preferential treatment for foreigners to attain permanent residency via region-specific visas.

­ (Cluster 2) Creating technology start-up centers and innovation hubs for middle-aged people as well as themed residential villages and supporting migration by leveraging the mountainous and coastal regions.

­ (Cluster 3) Developing eco-friendly travel infrastructure, 1+1 tour programs, and seasonal accommodations for a month, and providing youth rental housing at a monthly rate of KRW 10,000.

­ (Cluster 4) Providing artist residences, specialized residential tourism zones, social farms for foreigners, and retirement planning schools and retirement communities.

­ (Plans applicable to all clusters) Introducing dual address system, satellite office districts, and place-based industrial business districts for youth, and establishing a regional immigration agency.

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