CRI

 [ABSTRACT]

 Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk Province) has a forest coverage rate of 65.93%, exceeding the national average, and is home to the Baekdudaegan mountain range, giving it significant ecological and economic potential. Despite these advantages, the province’s mountain villages (sanchon) face a complex set of structural challenges, including population decline, aging demographics, absentee forest landowners, and deteriorating residential conditions. The average annual population decrease in these areas is –1.76%, significantly higher than the provincial average, and the proportion of resident forest owners is steadily declining. Although privately owned forests make up over 60% of total forest area, more than half of these owners reside outside the region. Moreover, only half of Chungbuk’s 63 forest welfare facilities are located in mountain villages, and their accessibility and connection to local communities remain weak.

In response, this study analyzes the current state of Chungbuk’s forests and mountain villages through a multifaceted approach and derives policy implications by examining best practices both domestically and abroad. The Sanchon Revitalization Support Center in Goesan County serves as an effective intermediary organization, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy and attracting new settlers. International examples, such as Kamiyama and Nishiawakura in Japan, demonstrate the importance of integrating external population inflow, local resources, culture, and private-sector cooperation in sustainable mountain village development. Based on these findings, the study proposes key strategies for Chungbuk: establishing forest welfare hubs, promoting six-sector industrial models that combine forestry and tourism, supporting resettlement and housing for returnees, converting idle facilities into community assets, and fostering resident-led management systems.

Ultimately, mountain village revitalization is not merely about expanding infrastructure but about reimagining these areas as viable places to live, centered on forest resources, with a focus on community recovery and economic independence. Chungbuk now stands at a critical juncture, where integrated policies linking forest welfare, local economy, and residential infrastructure can lead to a sustainable and desirable model for mountain village living. This study offers foundational insights to support the formulation of such Chungbuk-specific revitalization strategies.