Sangju City, located in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, is proactively addressing population decline and the threat of local extinction through a regional immigration initiative called the “Sangju-Style Melting Pot Initiative(Immigration Policy for Highly Skilled Foreign Talents).”

This program aims to attract and integrate talented foreign individuals, not merely as laborers, but as members of the community. It is widely recognized as a pioneering model of community-based immigration policy that promotes genuine coexistence between foreign residents and the local population.

The key point is, based on the F-2-R regional-specialized visa program, highly skilled foreign talents who satisfied specific criteria were granted long-term residence status, which included the accompanying entry of their spouses and children, as well as employment eligibility for the spouses. In 2024, a total of 19 local companies participated in the program, hiring 72 foreign workers. Sangju received a quota of 120 visas, the highest allocation in Gyeongsangbuk-do, solidifying its leadership in implementing the initiative.

To facilitate the meaningful settlement of foreign residents, Sangju City has expanded support services in various areas including housing, language education, and employment. The city has established a Foreign Community Center and temporary housing facilities and offers administrative assistance with immigration related documents and employer–employee matching. Through the Sangju Family Center, the city also offers Korean language classes, settlement subsidies, counseling, and needs-based programs to help foreign residents adjust to life in the community.

Through these efforts, Sangju City received the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award at the 2024 Local Government Best Practices Contest for Addressing Population Decline. The city was praised for effectively boosting its living population and revitalizing the local community by enabling the stable settlement of foreign talent in response to ongoing demographic challenges.

· Source: Sangju City