Jecheon was recognized for its population-decline countermeasures by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Jecheon City)

The central Korean city of Jecheon has recently received international recognition for its innovative approach to addressing population decline. The city’s migration and settlement policy, which focuses on supporting the relocation of Koryo-saram (ethnic Koreans from former Soviet countries), has been spotlighted by major media outlets, including BBC News Korea and The New York Times.

This initiative comes in response to Korea’s critically low birth rate, which has led to significant population declines outside of the major cities. BBC News Korea highlighted Jecheon’s Koryo-saram settlement project in a July 3 article, presenting it as a forward-thinking solution to the country’s demographic challenges. The New York Times followed up on August 6 with an in-depth look at how the initiative is revitalizing Jecheon, which was largely built on the now-declining cement industry.

The project officially kicked off in October 2022 with the opening of the Jecheon Overseas Koreans Support Center. This center serves as a hub for ethnic Koreans, assisting with their relocation and integration into the local community. As of end-July 2024, the program had successfully supported the relocation of 129 families – a total of 335 individuals.

A job fair to help ethnic Koreans from post-Soviet states settle stably in Jecheon (Photo courtesy of Jecheon City)

The New York Times report highlighted Jecheon’s practical approach to revitalization, which includes helping migrants become self-sufficient through employment assistance and Korean language training. The article featured success stories of Koryo-saram in Jecheon, such as Ruslan Li, who was hired by a local company after moving from Kazakhstan, and Andzhella Tyan, who has contributed to the city’s growing multicultural identity by opening an Uzbek restaurant.

Jecheon’s strategy is part of a larger national effort to address Korea’s demographic challenges, particularly in rural areas and smaller cities, where young people have moved to major cities and an aging population has been left behind. In 2023, Jecheon formalized its commitment to this initiative by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Koryo-saram Association of Korea.

The comprehensive migration program provides not just basic settlement assistance, but also vocational training, employment opportunities and educational resources for migrants’ children. The city also works to improve housing conditions and promote cultural exchanges to foster strong relationships between new migrants and established local residents.

Jecheon helps ethnic Koreans from post-Soviet states settle stably by hosting year-end parties, holiday celebrations and various other events. (Photo courtesy of Jecheon City)

These efforts have produced positive results, with both new migrants and established local residents benefiting – from an influx of talent and cultural diversity. Jecheon has taken steps to reverse its population decline, while the Koryo-saram have found new opportunities and stability. This success has led to optimism that the program could serve as a model for other small cities and rural areas in Korea and countries facing similar demographic challenges.

Looking ahead, the prospects for Jecheon’s Koryo-saram settlement project are promising. With continued support from the local government and community, the program is expected to attract more migrants, further boosting the city’s population and economy. By embracing diversity and creating an environment where migrants can thrive, Jecheon has not only found a solution to its population decline, but also paved the way for a more inclusive and vibrant future.