This image shows the interior of Cheongju Women's Correctional Institution in Cheongju City, North Chungcheong Province. Courtesy of Cheongju Women's Correctional Institution

A growing number of rural counties across the country are increasingly viewing the hosting of prisons and other correctional facilities as a strategy to counteract the accelerating economic and demographic challenges they face, according to government officials, Friday.

With growing concerns over a drastic decline in the number of residents, many of these rural areas now view such facilities more positively, hoping they will attract more people and revitalize their economies.

Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, recently expressed interest in hosting a prison, aiming to tackle a rural exodus.

With a population of approximately 24,000, the county is planning to attract prisons in addition to the four already existing in the region. The goal is to develop a "correctional village" for officials working at these institutions.

"We have consistently advocated for more prisons and are eager to be considered as a potential relocation site for Cheongju Prison," said an official at the Cheongsong County Office.

Cheongju Prison, established in 1978 and located in Cheongju City, North Chungcheong Province, has faced calls for redevelopment and relocation since the late 1990s due to overcrowding and concerns over inmate rights.

Despite these calls for action, progress on the project has been slow, largely hindered by the "not in my backyard" attitude that frequently accompanies proposals for such facilities. As a result, the relocation site remains undecided.

Cheongsong County identifies loss of vitality as its biggest challenge and is considering correctional facilities, including the potential relocation of Cheongju Prison, as a solution to revitalize the region.

The county hopes that hosting additional prisons will not only encourage correctional officials to live there but also attract more visitors to the area.

Inmates convicted of sexual violence and child abuse at Cheongju Prison take part in a psychotherapy program within the facility in Cheongju City, North Chungcheong Province. Courtesy of Cheongju Prison

The county office said that Cheongsong has already begun preparations to build accommodations for correctional staff.

This plan, which started last year, has reached the stage where architectural plans and designs are complete. The county has already secured the construction site and expects to begin construction later this year or in early 2025.

"If the basic infrastructure is established, the Ministry of Justice may view our county more favorably as a potential relocation site," the county official said. "We are also prepared to actively support any additional facilities or living infrastructure needed."

Local residents are also supportive of the idea. The county office explained that with four prisons already operating in the area, the negative impact on the community has been minimal.

In fact, residents believe the influx of correctional officials and visitors will stimulate the local economy and significantly benefit the region.

The county has been continuously visiting the justice ministry, expressing its desire to attract additional prisons and positioning itself as a potential relocation site for Cheongju Prison.

The Cheongju City Government has also expressed its willingness to relocate the prison to Cheongsong if administrative procedures permit. They said that the facility has long been a hindrance to the city's development plans.

However, despite strong interest from both local governments, the relocation of correctional facilities such as prisons ultimately requires approval from the justice ministry.

Although Cheongsong remains the only county that has officially expressed an interest in hosting Cheongju Prison, other counties are also exploring the possibility.

Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, has begun internal discussions about attracting the prison following Cheongsong's move to position itself as a potential relocation site.

"We haven't formally gauged the opinions of residents or expressed our interest yet, but we are considering positioning our county as a relocation site since we are in the same province as Cheongju Prison," a Boeun County official said.

Like Cheongsong, Boeun sees the prison as a way to boost local economic activity and revitalize the region.

The county also requested Cheongju City to consider holding a public bid within North Chungcheong Province first, noting that other areas at risk of population decline and rural exodus might also be interested in hosting the facility.