The program refunds 50% of travel expenses through mobile local gift certificates — individuals can receive up to 100,000 KRW (about $66), while groups of two or more can claim up to 200,000 KRW (about $132).
The government, working with the Korea Tourism Organization, has allocated 6.5 billion KRW (about $4,290,000) for a pilot called Local Love Vacation Support (the half-price travel pilot), which refunds half the cost of trips to rural and fishing communities.
Officials invited applications from 84 rural and fishing areas suffering population decline and selected 16 local governments, including Gangjin County, to move forward with the program.
The participating areas include Gangwon’s Pyeongchang County, Yeongwol County and Hoengseong County; North Chungcheong’s Jecheon City; North Jeolla’s Gochang County; South Jeolla’s Gangjin County, Yeonggwang County, Haenam County, Goheung County, Wando County and Yeongam County; and South Gyeongsang’s Miryang City, Hadong County, Hapcheon County, Geochang County and Namhae County.
Citizens aged 18 and older who want to take part must pre-register their travel plans for approval. After traveling, participants submit receipts; the authorities verify expenses and refund 50% via mobile local gift certificates.
Yeongam, Goheung, Namhae, Hadong, Hapcheon and Miryang began accepting applications on April 1, 2026.
Other application openings are scheduled as follows: Yeonggwang (April 10), Yeongwol (April 10), Geochang (April 13), Gochang (April 18), Haenam (April 30), Wando (May 1), and Pyeongchang and Hoengseong (during May).
Gangjin County is already running its own half-price travel program, and the national Local Love Vacation Support pilot is set to roll out in May.
The county capitalized on that momentum by staging its flagship nighttime cultural festival at Byeongyeong Market. A special performance by Cyberger amped up the crowd, while a community show put on by residents from the northern townships (Seongjeon, Jakcheon, Byeongyeong and Omcheon) added heart and local flavor to the night.
Visitors who paired the live performances with smoky, charcoal-grilled bulgogi soaked up the event’s signature vibe, enjoying hands-on activities and other attractions that make Bulgeumbulpa feel distinctly local and memorable.
