An influx of young people is necessary to transform mountain villages from the crisis of extinction into vibrant societies. (image: Yonhap)
DAEJEON, Jan. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — According to the Korea Forest Service, the number of young people in their 20s and 30s living in mountain villages has continued to decrease steadily, from 27.5 percent in 2000 to 16.6 percent in 2017.
More than 60,000 urban residents move to mountain villages each year, but the aging rate of mountain villages stood at 31.4 percent as of 2017, showing an inverted pyramid shape in age ratio.
As of 2017, of all residents of mountain villages, 23.5 percent were in their 60s and older, 22.9 percent in their 50s, and 15.4 percent in their 40s.
In order to find practical and effective ways to attract young people to mountain villages, the Korea Forest Service conducted a survey of 800 young people aged 18 and under and 853 college students majoring in forestry related areas inquiring as to whether they were willing to live in mountain areas.
The results showed that 37 percent of ordinary young adults were willing to live in mountain areas, as they thought that it would be a quiet place to live with clean air and water.
The policies and support that these young adults expected from the government were welfare assistance, housing support, and employment support.
Those who majored in forestry related subjects wanted to participate in economic activities through employment and startups.
An influx of young people is necessary to transform mountain villages from the crisis of extinction into vibrant societies. This means that developing and researching support systems for young people is essential.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
