Population Reaches 43,527 at the End of Last Month, Marking an Increase of 14,312 Since the Inauguration of the 8th Local Government 

Confluence of Institutional and Corporate Attraction, Completion of Apartment Complexes, and Improved Living Cond

Naepo New Town in South Chungcheong Province is experiencing remarkable growth, adding over 700 residents each month this year.

According to the provincial government on April 16th, the population of Naepo New Town totaled 43,527 as of the end of last month. This represents a significant increase of 14,312 people compared to the 29,215 residents recorded at the end of June 2022, just before the inauguration of the 8th local government.

The population growth of Naepo New Town has been steady since the relocation of the provincial government in late 2012, when it had a mere 509 residents. The population surpassed 20,000 by the end of 2016, exceeded 30,000 in October 2022, and broke the 40,000 mark in October of the previous year. This year alone, the population has increased by 2,202 from 41,325, averaging a growth of 734 residents per month.

This rapid population increase is attributed to a combination of factors, including the successful attraction of institutions and organizations by the provincial government, the concentration of public institutions under the provincial administration, the operation of companies attracted to the Urban High-Tech Industrial Complex, and the improved living conditions resulting from the completion and occupancy of apartment complexes.

Out of the 107 institutions and organizations targeted for attraction by the province, 104 have already completed their relocation to the new town or nearby areas. The remaining two have secured relocation sites, and one is currently in the process of relocation. Furthermore, 36 institutions and organizations not initially targeted have established themselves within or near Naepo New Town, with seven others progressing with construction and design work.

Notably, TBN Chungnam Traffic Broadcasting, the first institution attracted since the designation of Chungnam Innovation City and the only terrestrial radio station in the province, is scheduled to open on July 8th and begin broadcasting.

Six public institutions under the provincial administration, including the Chungnam Credit Guarantee Foundation, the Chungnam Economic Promotion Agency, and the Science and Technology Promotion Headquarters of the Chungnam Institute, have established new locations in Naepo New Town.

In the Urban High-Tech Industrial Complex, 12 companies are currently operational since the opening of the first company, Hanyang Robotics. These companies employ a total of 765 individuals. Additionally, six more companies have secured land and are accelerating preparations for relocation or establishment. As of now, 372,824㎡ out of the 639,627㎡ of industrial land in Naepo New Town has been sold, representing a 58.3% occupancy rate.

The improvement of living conditions within Naepo New Town is also a significant factor driving population growth. In terms of housing, 24 out of the planned 44 apartment complexes, totaling 20,943 units out of 40,083 planned units, have been completed. Construction is underway for an additional three complexes comprising 3,248 units.

The consecutive openings of the Seohae Line double-track railway and the Iksan-Pyeongtaek Expressway last year have significantly enhanced the transportation convenience for residents. Regarding educational facilities, a key factor in attracting young families, 13 out of the planned 17 elementary, middle, and high schools are now operational. The KAIST Academy of Excellence Naepo Campus, specializing in nurturing talent in the semiconductor and mobility sectors, is scheduled to be established in 2028. The long-stalled project of establishing the Chungnam National University Naepo Campus gained momentum after the province successfully pushed for the revision of the "National School Establishment Ordinance" and signed an agreement with Chungnam National University in February of last year.

Healthcare facilities are also expanding, with 38 clinics and nine pharmacies currently operating, totaling 47 establishments. For cultural amenities, the Chungnam Provincial Library opened in 2018 and has become a beloved resource for residents. The Chungnam Museum of Art broke ground last year with the goal of opening in 2027, and the Chungnam Arts Center is currently undergoing design work with a target completion date of 2028. Sports facilities, including golf courses, soccer fields, baseball fields, and tennis courts, totaling 30 locations, support the health and well-being of residents. Among these, the Chungnam Sports Center, envisioned as the hub of sports in the province and a cornerstone of community sports, is nearing completion with an anticipated opening in August. Furthermore, the Hongye Park is undergoing a significant beautification project to transform it into a world-class urban green space. The development of the Naepo New Town site itself is nearing completion, with 9,707,495㎡ out of the total 9,951,729㎡ completed, representing a 99.7% completion rate.

Yoo Yoon-soo, Head of the Public Institution Attraction Division of South Chungcheong Province, stated, "While the national population is declining overall, Naepo New Town continues to experience steady population growth due to the continuous attraction of institutions, organizations, and businesses, coupled with consistent improvements in living conditions. Although we have not yet reached our initial targets, at the current growth rate, we can realistically expect to surpass 50,000 residents within this year."

Yoo further emphasized, "We will concentrate our administrative efforts on attracting public institutions from the Seoul metropolitan area, promoting the separation and independence of headquarters and branch offices, and attracting businesses to ensure that Naepo New Town develops into a central city of South Korea, transcending its regional significance."