○​ The living conditions in rural areas have deteriorated significantly, primarily due to a considerable lack of living services compared to their urban counterparts, stemming from a population decline. The decline in the rural population correlates with a reduced demand for resident living services, leading to a consequential reduction in the provision and supply of living services. This, in turn, exerts a substantial impact on the overall quality of life of the residents.

○​ In response to these tangible issues faced by rural communities, the National Assembly enacted the “Act on the Promotion of Economic and Social Services Based on Rural Communities” (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) in August of the previous year, with enforcement scheduled for June 2024. The primary objective of the Act is to support resident activities that address the shortfall in services pertaining to employment, income, and social services in daily life based on local communities.  

○​ Last year, the rural residents’ satisfaction level for quality of life was vastly lower than the satisfaction for various fields, such as health and welfare, education and culture, and economy and jobs, and the gap is getting wider.

○​ The Act outlines the key roles and responsibilities of both the state and local governments, which involve establishing a plan, managing the main agents, establishing a support system, and promoting activities. Prior to the Act’s enforcement, the following community tasks were proposed: ① establishing a plan, ② nurturing main execution agents, ③ operating a supporting organization, and ④ promoting implementation activities.

○​ First, the act stipulates annual condition surveys to evaluate the level of improvement. Furthermore, the Act mandates the effective establishment of a three-year basic plan, with its implementation overseen at both the metropolitan and basic local government levels. 

○​ Second, in designating “Local Rural Service Communities,” basic local governments must actively identify and nurture the main execution agents and organizations responsible for delivering rural economic and social services. Moreover, they must also formulate and implement a systematic management plan. 

○ ​Third, “Rural Economic and Social Service Promotion & Support Centers,” being established in provinces to tackle the shortfall in rural economic and social services, must be designated. Implementing measures to transform existing village community intermediate support organizations into local support organizations responsibly is crucial. 

○ Fourth, local governments must actively devise measures to identify and disseminate successful case studies, enter into and implement policy agreements that incentivize service providers for positive social outcomes, and secure financial resources by soliciting donations from private funds.​