The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will recruit local governments to newly participate in the 2027 Rural Basic Income pilot project. The measure aims to support the livelihood stability of rural communities struggling with population decline and aging, while boosting local consumption, with around 18 counties expected to be newly selected. The application period runs from Thursday, October 8, 2026 to Tuesday, November 3, with actual application submissions beginning Tuesday, October 20 and closing Tuesday, November 3.

■ Monthly 150,000 won in local love gift certificates... targeting local economic circulation

The Rural Basic Income pilot project operates by providing residents of county-level areas designated as population decline regions with local love gift certificates worth 150,000 won per month. It is designed to supplement residents' income while ensuring the issued certificates lead to local consumption, generating economic benefits for small business owners and local commercial districts. Its distinctive feature is that it goes beyond simple cash-style support, pursuing both residents' livelihood stability and revitalization of the local economy.

■ Currently 8 provinces and 17 counties participating... "Positive changes confirmed"

The project was first implemented in 10 counties nationwide in February 2026. With 7 additional counties selected in June, participating regions have expanded to 17 counties across 8 provinces. Participating regions include Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi; Jeongseon and Hwacheon in Gangwon; Boeun and Okcheon in North Chungcheong; Cheongyang in South Chungcheong; Jinan, Muju, Jangsu, and Sunchang in North Jeolla; Gokseong, Gurye, Boseong, and Sinan in South Jeolla; Cheongsong and Yeongyang in North Gyeongsang; and Namhae in South Gyeongsang.

The ministry explained that positive changes such as population growth and expansion of local love gift certificate affiliate stores have appeared in the 10 counties that participated in the initial project. During the additional region selection process in June, 44 counties nationwide applied, confirming local governments' interest in participating in the project.

■ Targeting 52 non-participating counties... national funding ratio expanded to 50%

The 2027 new application targets are the 52 counties not currently participating, out of 69 counties designated as population decline regions under the Special Act on Balanced Regional Development, with approximately 18 counties to be newly selected. However, the final selection scale will be determined considering regional populations and the National Assembly's confirmation of the 2027 budget.

The government's financial support ratio is also set to expand. To reduce local governments' budget burden, the ministry reflected a national funding ratio of 50%, 10 percentage points higher than before, in the 2027 government budget proposal. A higher national funding ratio can help reduce the fiscal scale local governments must bear. However, this content may change depending on the National Assembly's budget deliberation results.

■ Application procedures and evaluation criteria

Counties wishing to participate must first consult with their respective cities and provinces on local cost-sharing plans. They should then prepare a business plan reflecting local conditions and characteristics, along with supporting documents, and submit them to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs via their city or province. In the selection process, resident participation levels and local governments' preparation status for establishing the project in the local community will be reflected as key evaluation factors.

■ "Expecting local economic circulation... outcomes to be continuously verified"

The ministry plans to supplement the economic foundations of population decline regions through the Rural Basic Income and create conditions necessary for maintaining local communities. When the certificates issued to residents are used at affiliate stores within the region, consumption is expected to circulate within the local economy. This means it can serve as a policy tool that eases residents' living cost burdens while supporting the sales base of local small business owners. However, the actual effects on local economic revitalization and population inflow need to be continuously verified through future project operation results.

The ministry plans to expand the project to various regions, compare operational outcomes by region, and utilize the findings to develop sustainable rural policies.

Applications for new participating regions for 2027 close on November 3. Eligible regions, required documents, and detailed selection criteria can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

[New participating regions, project scale, national funding ratio, and other details may change depending on the confirmation of the 2027 budget and final selection results. This article was partially assisted by AI in the writing process.]