Gyeongsangbuk-do counties compete to host new correctional facilities

Four counties in northern Gyeongsangbuk-do—Cheongsong, Yeongyang, Uiseong, and Yeongdeok—are competing to host new correctional facilities to combat regional population decline and economic stagnation. The Ministry of Justice is conducting a public contest to select sites for these facilities, which will be developed through a Build-Transfer-Lease (BTL) model, with a target completion date of December 2034.

Cheongsong County is leveraging its 40 years of experience operating existing correctional facilities and is proposing sites within current facility grounds or near Jinbo-myeon. The county expects an economic impact of approximately 400 billion won, driven by an influx of over 500 permanent residents and 10,000 annual visitors. To support this, Cheongsong is expanding water supply infrastructure and developing public housing for female correctional officers.

Yeongyang County has proposed three sites and emphasizes high local acceptance, citing a 2022 survey where 86.6% of residents supported the project. Uiseong County is preparing a proposal focused on regional coexistence and infrastructure connectivity, while Yeongdeok County has selected three candidate sites and is conducting public hearings and resident surveys to gauge support and ensure local economic revitalization.