Photo credit: The Korean Herald
The Good Book says the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Such will be the case of some Myanmar when a County in Korea takes them in.
The Korean Herald reports that Yeongyang County in North Gyeogsang Province is seeking to attract 40 Myanmar refugees to live in the community as its population continues to decline, according to officials.
The county government is in discussions with the Justice Ministry on whether refugees under United Nations protection could settle in Yeongyang. It is also reviewing various options for their living arrangements such as converting closed schools into housing. Officials expect the plan to yield results as early as this year.
An official said, “If there is any way to prevent population decline, we are considering all possibilities, including attracting refugees. We are doing our best to ensure the region does not disappear.”
Yeongyang has the lowest population among the districts in South Korea, excluding the islands.
In 2006, its population dropped below 20,000. By February this year, the number had further declined to 15,271. If the trend continues, the population is expected to fall below 15,000 by late this year.
In recent years, the government has taken steps to curb the decline, including encouraging officials to register their families and relatives as Yeongyang residents. It has also offered up to 100 million won ($68,000) to childbirth incentives.
Despite these efforts, only about 25 babies are born in the county each year, while roughly 300 die. Two decades ago, the county recorded around 100 births and 200 births annually.
