The purpose of this research is to identify strategic projects for Cheongsong County based on a survey of basic living infrastructure and on an analysis of the residents' needs. The focus of the study is placed mostly on comprehensive subsidy projects while strategic projects that are in line with the policy direction of the new government are also identified. Depending on the type of a project, similar cases of the project at home and abroad are examined and priorities are reviewed.
The main contents of the study consist largely of five parts to achieve the research purpose. First, under the recent changes in the policy environment, the main points that are emphasized concerning the rural development policy are analyzed to be linked with the identification of strategic projects. The reason for this is that since Cheongsong County has relatively poor financial conditions, it is necessary to have sufficient information on the policy changes of the central government to implement strategic projects. Second, the status of Cheongsong County is identified by sector from a national perspective based on the statistics data of cities and counties. The reason for this is to use it as a reference for identifying strategic projects after the relative strengths and weaknesses of the county are determined. Third, the state of basic living infrastructure and the conditions for urban-rural exchanges, as well as the demand for development, are identified through a survey of village leaders of the county. Fourth, a survey is conducted on 700 randomly selected county residents to identify and analyze their satisfaction level of basic living infrastructure and their needs for development. Lastly, based on the analysis, this study suggested strategic projects that Cheongsong County should carry out in the next five years.
Cheongsong County is at a relatively disadvantageous position compared to other cities and counties in terms of overall conditions that include conditions for local development and living infrastructure. However, in terms of the `leisurely living index,' the county is placed on the high rank, which this study interprets to have derived from the fact that it has many tourist attractions such as Mt. Juwangsan, Jusanji Pond, Dalgi Mineral Spring and an exhibition hall of stones with flower patterns. Thus, this study evaluates that it is necessary to focus on finding strategic projects that reinforce the strengths of the county. The county residents have a relatively high demand for development in the fields of medical welfare and cultural leisure. For now, the demand is expected to increase especially as depopulation and aging are rather severe and as it will be necessary to mend the basic living infrastructure to attract urban-to-rural migrants.
This study suggested the following major strategic projects for Cheongsong County: “happy village building project,” “settlement center development project,” “geological park development project,” “6th industrialization of agriculture project,” and “municipalities partnership project.” All these projects are developed to reflect the changing policy direction of the central government and the needs of residents.


Researchers: Mi-Ryung Song, Joo-In Seong, Kwang-Seon Kim and Byeong-Seok Yoon
Research Period: 2012.12～2013.10
E-mail Address: mrsong@krei.re.kr