Korean Towns Compete to Host New Prisons as Populations Decline
Municipalities across South Korea are bidding to host four new correctional facilities, betting that government jobs, new residents and local spending can help communities confronting population loss.
Local governments across South Korea are competing to host new prisons, reversing the resistance that correctional facilities have traditionally faced as rural communities search for jobs, residents and economic activity amid population decline.
The Ministry of Justice is seeking locations for four correctional facilities intended to ease overcrowding and replace aging infrastructure. Each would hold about 1,000 inmates, employ 250 permanent staff members and require at least 192,000 square meters of land. The four projects carry a combined construction cost of 967.6 billion won, or roughly $680 million.
The facilities would be developed through build-transfer-lease arrangements. Private companies would finance and construct them, transfer ownership to the government and receive rent for their use. The ministry also plans to install artificial intelligence-based video analysis, intelligent surveillance and advanced access controls. Certain amenities, including parking areas, sports facilities and parks, would be available to nearby residents.
Cheongsong and Yeongdeok counties in North Gyeongsang Province, along with Jecheon and Boeun in North Chungcheong Province, are among the municipalities pursuing the projects.
Cheongsong already hosts four correctional institutions and is promoting its four decades of experience as an advantage. Local officials and residents have campaigned in support of the bid, while the county says unused land within the existing prison complex exceeds the ministry’s minimum requirement. It hopes another facility would help complete what it describes as a correctional town.
Neighboring Yeongdeok received expressions of interest from four villages and plans to assess site suitability, accessibility and regional balance before choosing a candidate. The county is also considering additional financial support for the selected community.
Jecheon narrowed 16 applicants to three finalists after a local selection process. A public opinion survey conducted in August found 61.7 percent support among city residents. Boeun also received applications from 16 villages and selected three finalists. It is conducting a countywide signature campaign and has proposed 1 billion won in local funding for the village ultimately chosen.
The competition reflects a change in how some shrinking communities view facilities once associated with stigma, property-value concerns and neighborhood opposition. Local leaders now emphasize the potential arrival of prison employees and their families, spending by visitors, purchases of regional agricultural products and construction-related investment. Boeun’s mayor estimated the economic impact of hosting a facility at around 800 billion won.
Applications are due Oct. 12, followed by detailed proposals on Nov. 4. The ministry plans to review community support, infrastructure, land use and accessibility, conduct site inspections and select the final locations in December.