South Korean Fund for Regional Survival Fuels Resorts, Not Resident Needs

In Taean County, South Korea, a significant portion of the 8.4 billion won allocated from the 'Regional Extinction Response Fund' has been invested in the Taean Ocean Healing Center, a facility described as resembling a resort, complete with an infinity pool and high-end therapy rooms. This center, which opened in January, charges up to 500,000 won per night for a four-person room, yet was observed to be sparsely populated on a weekday. The fund, established to combat regional population decline, has seen its considerable allocation in Taean used for external amenities like wooden decks and sunbeds, as well as spa equipment and therapy programs.

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To prevent extinction, young people must come, but the healing center is too limited to tourism.

Local residents express concern that these investments do not address the core issues driving depopulation. Lee Choong-gyeong, the head of the Euihang 2-ri Fishermen's Cooperative in Sowon-myeon, stated that to prevent extinction, the region needs young people, and the healing center is too narrowly focused on tourism. He suggested the funds would be better utilized for job creation. Kim Ki-doo, a Taean County council member, criticized the practice of supplementing existing local projects with the extinction response fund, deeming it inappropriate.

Over the past five years, Taean County has received 35 billion won in regional extinction funds, with 17.41 billion won disbursed. Analysis by Hankyoreh revealed that 95.55% of these disbursed funds were channeled into culture and tourism-related projects. Examples include an indoor surfing facility costing approximately 5.9 billion won for the 'Marine Leisure Safety Training Center' and 700 million won for a 'Sand Museum.' These projects primarily cater to external visitors, not the needs of current residents.

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It is not appropriate for the regional extinction fund to be added to projects that the local government already intended to pursue.

Data from the 2025 Chungcheongnam-do Social Indicators Report indicates that Taean residents are most dissatisfied with transportation (27%), welfare and medical services (22%), and economic and administrative issues (18%). While some related projects, like a 'medical complex healing village,' are included in Taean's investment plan, they remain low priority and have not yet commenced.

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The indoor surfing facility will be installed in the 'Marine Leisure Safety Training Center'. Approximately 5.9 billion won from the regional extinction fund has been invested in this facility.

The article also highlights a nationwide trend of local governments adopting the popular concept of 'workation' (work + vacation) centers, often with little regard for actual demand or existing facilities. Thirty-one municipalities across South Korea are investing regional extinction funds into such projects. Taean itself is building another 'Mallipo Workation Center' just 300 meters from an existing county-operated center. In Buan County, a workation center opened in September 2024 has served an average of less than one visitor per day. Boseong County's 'Green Tea Village Workation' facility, operational since July 2023, also reported low usage, with staff unaware of the concept. Danyang County is converting a closed youth hostel into a workation center, despite concerns about its location compared to private hotels.

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The number of visitors to the center since its opening in September 2024 until this month has been a total of 313 people. This means it has been used less than one person per day.