1. Research Goals and Methods

■ Background and Goals

￮ In the face of impending regional extinction, an emerging requirement is a policy shift from an address-based resident population polic to a de facto population-grounded approach that focuses on people who stay in a given region and contribute to local vitality.

￮ Despite its rich natural and cultural assets, Jeongeup must overcome patterns of short-term visitation, as its floating population is heavily concentrated in the autumn foliage season, and the locality generates only limited spillover effects in local consumption.

￮ Against this backdrop, this study formulated phased population policy roadmaps to address the structural limitations of Jeongeup’s floating population by converting such irregular floating communities into regular floating groups and, ultimately, facilitating their transition into resident populations.

■ Methods

￮ (Statistical Data Analysis) To assess Jeongeup’s current status, this study conducted a comparative analysis of Jeongeup and other population-declining regions in Jeonbuk. For this purpose, de facto population (floating population)-related statistical data provided by Statistics Korea were used.

￮ (In-depth Interviews and Expert Consultation) Targeting irregular floating populations (tourists and short-stay visitors) and regular floating groups (commuters), this research carried out detailed interviews and expert consultations to identify the key factors and policy demands that enable the transition from one-time visits to regular stays and subsequently that from regular stays to permanent settlement.

￮ (Big Data Analysis) This study leveraged mobile telecommunications and credit transaction data to analyze the inflow patterns and consumption characteristics of regular floating populations across spatial and temporal dimensions. The analytical findings were also integrated with region-specific living infrastructure data to objectively assess settlement conditions and infrastructure levels. 

2. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations

■ Draft Population Policy Roadmaps and Actions for the Phased Transition from Irregular Floating Populations to Permanent Settlement

￮ To convert Jeongeup’s irregular floating populations into regular floating communities and, ultimately, into resident populations in a phased manner, the following strategies should be implemented under the population policy vision “From Passing Visits to Rooted Living: Jeongeup Life Connect”:

­(1) Encourage longer stays

­(2) Enhance urban appeal

­(3) Foster local attachment

­(4) Lay the foundation for settlement exploration

­(5) Expand customized settlement infrastructure

­(6) Nurture community-based living environments

￮ The detailed actions proposed are as follows.  

- Encouraging longer stays requires the regeneration of idle resources, such as vacanthouses and aging facilities; the introduction of transportation convenience systems supported by smart technologies; and the conversion of day trips into overnight stays through KTX-linked overnight stay programs. 

­- Enhancing urban appeal necessitates the development of gamification-based storytelling content that structures Jeongeup’s unique historical and cultural assets into connected routes and humanities-themed walking trails, as well as the establishment of a year-round experiential content operation grounded in digital reward linkage systems tied to local consumption.

­- Fostering local attachment involves the promotion of continued visits through Jeongeup’s traditional liquor brewing programs and the establishment of a phased system that facilitates the transition of participants into relationship populations. These tasks, in turn, require encouraging visitors to build enduring relationships with the local community and progress toward repeat visits and regular stays. 

­- Laying the foundation for settlement exploration calls for the provision of resident-for-a-day experiential programs designed to meet the needs of middle-aged adults in their 40s and 50s, along with the delivery of demand-responsive, customized living information, thereby lowering psychological and informational barriers to settlement.

­- Expanding customized settlement infrastructure entails the introduction of the Jeongeup Medi-Healing Membership—healthcare services that integrate Jeongeup’s traditional Korean medicine industry with regional medical institutions—and high-end dining solutions, including the regular delivery of exceptional Jeongeup agricultural and livestock products and outreach fine-dining services for industrial complex workers. These initiatives are intended to satisfy the practical, lived-experience needs of regular-stay populations. 

­- Finally, nurturing community-based living environments requires the establishment of interest-based cultural and interpersonal exchange networks (e.g., wine, golf, and the humanities) and the design of settlement mentoring programs, with the aim of expanding social connectedness in the region. 

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