As populations plunge, some rural South Korean provinces court overseas South Koreans to return

SEOUL – Provincial governments across South Korea are stepping up efforts to attract overseas South Koreans in a bid to curb their declining populations, offering a range of living experience programmes and support measures.

Wonju in Gangwon province launched a project titled Experience Living In Wonju on Oct 26, inviting South Koreans residing in Australia to participate.

Twenty participants spent 15 days exploring the region’s culture, including visits to Chiaksan National Park and a local history museum. They also attended lectures on reverse immigration, asset management and healthcare.

South Chungcheong province held a briefing session in Los Angeles in May, under the title The Best Destination For Reverse Immigration And Cozy Life.

The province plans to sell unsold housing units to South Korean residents overseas in cooperation with Chungcheongnamdo Development.

South Gyeongsang province operates a long-term residency programme that allows overseas South Koreans to stay for a month to familiarise themselves with the area before deciding whether to move permanently.

Participants receive living expenses in exchange for sharing their experiences on social media. Upon arrival in South Korea, they are also offered transportation to their accommodation.

According to the Overseas Koreans Agency, 1,565 people who had previously emigrated returned to South Korea in 2024. Of them, 56.3 per cent, or 881 individuals, were in their 60s or older.

Those aged 65 and above are eligible for dual citizenship through the citizenship recovery system.

The South Korean Ministry of the Interior and Safety designated 89 areas nationwide as population-declining regions in 2021. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK