Young Adults Flock to Rural Mountains, Seeking New Lifestyles

A growing trend of young adults is revitalizing South Korea's rural mountain villages, with around 130,000 individuals aged 20-40 choosing to settle in these areas over the past five years. This influx, which has seen a slight increase in recent years, is driven by a desire for a less stressful, more autonomous lifestyle, as exemplified by mushroom farmer Chae Su-hyeok, who relocated after college. Chae notes the appeal of the natural environment and the potential for improved health in mountain settings.

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The biggest reason I decided to settle in the mountains was that I could work autonomously without stress.

To facilitate this migration, various support programs have been established. These include 'Rural Relocation Academies' offering basic training, practical experience programs, and startup support. Financial assistance is also available, with loans for business startups up to 300 million won and housing support up to 75 million won. However, a disparity exists compared to the agricultural sector, where young farmers receive direct settlement support payments, easing their initial financial burden.

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Young entrepreneurs in farming can get loans of up to 500 million won, but for forestry, the conditions are stricter and the support is less.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Young settlers in forestry-related fields, such as landscape tree cultivation, face longer return periods on investment and higher initial costs, making it difficult without substantial experience and capital. Experts like Professor Ahn Ki-wan emphasize the critical role of young people in maintaining mountain ecosystems and advocate for long-term policies that include comprehensive forestry education and living support. The consensus is that to truly encourage more young people to embrace rural life, specialized support, robust infrastructure encompassing housing, healthcare, and education, and a clearer path to financial stability are essential.

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To increase the number of young people returning to the countryside, specialized support that assures young people they won't lose money must be expanded.