Bonghwa County to hold briefing on 2027 rural basic income pilot

Bonghwa County is preparing to launch its ‘Bonghwa-style Rural Basic Income’ pilot project in 2027. To refine the program, the county will hold a public briefing on October 7 at the Youth Center to gather resident feedback on eligibility, payment methods, and the use of local currency to stimulate the regional economy.

The initiative aims to address challenges such as population decline, aging demographics, and economic contraction. The county is pursuing a ‘two-track strategy’: preparing its own localized model while simultaneously preparing to apply for government-led pilot programs.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has proposed expanding rural basic income pilot projects in its 2027 budget, potentially increasing the number of target counties from 17 to 35 and raising the national subsidy rate from 40% to 50%. Current government pilots typically provide 150,000 KRW per month via local gift certificates to residents in areas facing population extinction risks.