Rural Basic Income Pilot Program to Launch Next Year in 10 Counties, Including Yeoncheon and Jeongseon

To revitalize regions facing population decline in rural areas, the South Korean government will officially launch a Rural Basic Income Pilot Program starting next year. The program will cover 10 counties nationwide, including Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province and Jeongseon in Gangwon Province, providing eligible residents with a monthly basic income of 150,000 KRW.

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Launch of the Rural Basic Income Performance Council

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), together with the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences (NRC), has officially launched the “Rural Basic Income Pilot Program Performance Council” to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.

The council brings together central and local governments, research institutions, and policy experts to objectively evaluate policy outcomes and maximize the effectiveness of the pilot program.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by approximately 100 participants, including the Minister of Agriculture, senior researchers, and the heads of the 10 participating counties, along with representatives from provincial governments.

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Program Overview and Payment Structure

The Rural Basic Income Pilot Program will operate for two years as a demonstration project, providing residents with a monthly payment of 150,000 KRW on a regular basis.

To promote a virtuous cycle of consumption and stimulate local economies, the basic income is designed to be used primarily at local small businesses and public-interest establishments.

Spending areas will be defined around daily living zones, ensuring that consumption effects reach not only town centers but also economically vulnerable communities.

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10 Counties Selected for the Pilot Program

Reflecting the outcome of the National Assembly’s budget deliberations, MAFRA has finalized the following 10 counties as pilot regions.

Yeoncheon (Gyeonggi), Jeongseon (Gangwon), Okcheon (North Chungcheong), Cheongyang (South Chungcheong), Sunchang and Jangsu (North Jeolla), Gokseong and Sinan (South Jeolla), Yeongyang (North Gyeongsang), and Namhae (South Gyeongsang)

Each region will operate a customized basic income model that reflects local geography, industrial structure, and consumption infrastructure.

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General Model vs. Local Revenue-Creation Model

Depending on regional conditions, the pilot program will adopt either a General Model or a Local Revenue-Creation Model.

The General Model targets rural areas facing population decline and limited development potential, focusing on evaluating how basic income contributes to revitalizing local communities.

The Local Revenue-Creation Model redistributes income generated from local assets and revenues back to residents, placing emphasis on testing the long-term sustainability of basic income.

Regions using the General Model include Yeoncheon, Okcheon, Cheongyang, Sunchang, Jangsu, Gokseong, and Namhae, while Jeongseon, Sinan, and Yeongyang will adopt the Local Revenue-Creation Model.

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Strengthening the Social Solidarity Economy and Local Support

MAFRA plans to use the basic income initiative as a catalyst to foster social solidarity economy organizations that meet essential living needs within rural communities.

Residents will be able to use their basic income to access locally scarce goods and services, helping regions build self-sustaining economic structures.

To ensure smooth implementation, the government will establish public–private regional support task forces in each of the 10 counties.

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Evidence-Based Policy Evaluation and Future Plans

MAFRA and the NRC will conduct objective and scientific analyses of how basic income affects individuals and local communities.

To this end, the “NRC Rural Basic Society Research Group” will be formed, operating through four divisions—survey research, economics, social impact, and local governance—to carry out in-depth evaluations.

Based on these findings, the government plans to engage in public discussion and review the direction of a full-scale national rollout by 2027.

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Expectations from Government and Research Institutions

MAFRA expects the Rural Basic Income initiative to serve as a key foundation for revitalizing regions at risk of extinction and advancing balanced national development.

Research institutions also view this pilot program as a major policy turning point toward decentralization and inclusive regional growth.