Youth settlement and job support: KRW 11.7 billion (about $7,839,000 USD)Marriage startup relief: KRW 3.4 billion (about $2,278,000 USD)Pregnancy and childbirth support: KRW 13.8 billion (about $9,246,000 USD); reduced childrearing burdenChild, middle-aged and senior support and safety net: KRW 43.4 billion (about $29,078,000 USD) allocated
On March 10, Yeosu City announced a lifecycle population policy package worth KRW 439.4 billion (about $294,398,000 USD) to confront low birthrates, demographic aging and the outflow of young residents. The program aims to establish an integrated support system that covers every life stage—from youth independence through marriage, childbirth, childrearing and old age.
Yeosu will allocate KRW 11.7 billion (about $7,839,000 USD) to help young people settle in the city and secure stable employment. Key measures include retention bonuses for young workers, youth-specific internship programs, housing-cost assistance for employed young people, a Yeosu-style youth rental housing initiative, monthly rent subsidies for young residents, Jeonnam youth culture and welfare cards, startup support for young entrepreneurs, and tailored on-site consulting for young small-business owners. The city expects these measures to stabilize youth employment and stimulate local economic activity.
To ease the early financial burden of marriage, Yeosu will provide KRW 3.4 billion (about $2,278,000 USD) for programs such as marriage celebration grants for young couples, housing support for newlyweds with multiple children, and interest subsidies on chonsei (long-term lease) loans for newlywed households. These measures are intended to strengthen housing stability for newly formed families.
In the pregnancy and childbirth sector, the city will invest KRW 13.8 billion (about $9,246,000 USD) to cover basic infertility screenings, traditional medicine infertility treatments, costs of infertility procedures, eco-friendly produce packages for infertile couples, and pregnancy celebration payments. Pregnant residents registered in Yeosu will also receive free access to municipal paid public parking lots.
Yeosu will invest KRW 182.4 billion (about $122,208,000 USD) in childcare, parenting and multi-child family support. Measures include operating emergency weekend daycare centers, running community childcare-sharing centers, providing child allowances and home care allowances, and expanding childcare infrastructure to ease the burden on parents. Multi-child families will receive discounts on admission to Bonghwangsan Natural Recreation Forest, reduced public parking fees, and reduced water and sewer charges.
The city will dedicate KRW 184.7 billion (about $123,749,000 USD) to support middle-aged and senior residents, funding senior employment and social activity programs, shingles vaccinations, and medical cost assistance for hypertension and diabetes. Yeosu will also introduce programs targeting the \"new middle-aged\" demographic, including job-matching services and incentive grants for desired jobs.
Yeosu will allocate KRW 43.4 billion (about $29,078,000 USD) to build a citywide safety net covering citizen safety insurance, bicycle/personal mobility insurance, and ferry fare subsidies for island residents and other ferry passengers. The city will also launch a senior transit subsidy allowing residents aged 75 and older to ride city buses free up to 20 times per month. Through this package, Yeosu aims to provide more comprehensive support for daily life and make choices around marriage, childbirth and parenting less of a burden and more of a positive decision.
A city official said, \"We will increase the policy’s effectiveness through a systematic implementation plan and continue expanding population policies that residents can feel in their daily lives.\" For details on eligibility and application periods, residents are advised to check the city hall website or the brochure \"Special Benefits You Receive as a Yeosu Citizen in 2026,\" available at town and neighborhood offices.
Officials expect this comprehensive approach to help address Yeosu’s demographic challenges, improve citizens’ quality of life and promote sustainable community development. They say the package will help Yeosu overcome population decline and aging and become a city where all generations can live well together.
Yeosu — Reporter Jeong Won (weeoney@viva100.com)
