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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Taean: Between Stability and Peril Amidst Demographic Crisis

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The South Korean town of Taean faces a demographic crisis as its population declines, exacerbated by the planned closure of a coal power plant.
  • The closure of the first coal power plant in December 2025 is expected to reduce the population by over 4,200 people, with the town's population already falling below 60,000.
  • Local residents, like the village chief of Eolgok 2-ri, are striving to preserve their community despite the ongoing depopulation, emphasizing that people are key to sustaining the region.

The South Korean town of Taean is grappling with a severe demographic crisis, with its population dwindling and the impending closure of a coal power plant threatening to accelerate the decline. Eolgok 2-ri village, located about 5km from a coal power plant, exemplifies this struggle. Its village chief, Kim Yong-rok, recalls that 30 years ago, when he first took office, the village had about 100 households. Today, the population has not increased, and he notes with sorrow that "it's been 25 years since I heard a baby cry in the village."

I think our village will disappear before the power plant does.

· Kim Yong-rokThe village chief of Eolgok 2-ri, describing the existential threat to his community due to the coal power plant's closure.

The situation is set to worsen significantly in December 2025 when the first coal power plant is scheduled to cease operations. This closure is projected to cause a further population decrease of 4,208 people. Taean's population has already dipped below 60,000 for the first time last year, highlighting the urgency of the crisis.

It's been 25 years since I heard a baby cry in the village.

· Kim Yong-rokThe village chief of Eolgok 2-ri, illustrating the severity of the declining birthrate and population in his community.

This crisis in Taean is not an isolated incident but mirrors the challenges faced by 89 other depopulation-stricken areas across South Korea. As political solutions lag, local residents are actively seeking ways to sustain their communities. Kim Yong-rok emphasizes the critical role of people in preserving the region, stating, "In any case, it is people who protect this area." The Hankyoreh TV documentary explores the efforts of these individuals determined to safeguard Taean's future.

In any case, it is people who protect this area.

· Kim Yong-rokThe village chief of Eolgok 2-ri, stressing the importance of residents in overcoming the regional crisis.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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