Local municipalities vie to host correctional facilities amid regional extinction concerns

SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- Seven municipalities have applied to host new correctional facilities, officials said Wednesday, a surprise turnout for the once-shunned sites that apparently comes amid growing concerns of regional extinction due to declining populations.

The southeastern counties of Yeongdeok, Yeongyang, Uiseong and Cheongsong, the central city of Jecheon and Boeun County, and the eastern county of Jeongseon have submitted bids for the government's plans to create four new prisons by 2034.

While correctional facilities had previously been considered unwanted by residents, the municipalities now appear to be embracing them with hopes of bringing in new jobs and propping up the local economy and population.

They also expect a boost to local spending from visitors to the facilities.

South Korea has long grappled with chronically low child births and an overcrowded capital region, leaving many municipalities outside of Seoul struggling to find ways to overcome declining populations.

The justice ministry plans to inject 241.9 billion won (US$180.8 million) for each of the new facilities. They will each have a capacity of 1,000 prisoners and employ 250 correctional officials.

The ministry will accept applications until Wednesday before finalizing the sites in December.

Local public support for the bids has been vocal, with 80.8 percent of Yeongdeok residents approving of hosting the facilities in an opinion poll conducted last month.

In Yeongyang, some 500 people gathered for a rally on Oct. 27 to express support for the county's bid.