Characteristics of and Prospect for Population Distribution in Korea

인구분산 및 이동의 특성과 전망

The purpose of the paper is to examine the nature of population distribution during the past 25 years; to evaluate effect of population redistribution policies which have been adopted by the government; and to suggest desirable future policy directions. The distinctive features of population distribution during the period of 196O~85 can be summarized as progress of rapid urbanization, decrease of absolute number of rural population and heavy concentration of population in the Seoul metropolitan area which have resulted in population maldistribution among regions. The problem of population concentration in the selected one or two large urban centers was first recognized by the government as early as in 1964. Since then numerous policy measures have been adopted to reduce the population concentration into the Seoul metropolitan area and thus to guide a sound population redistribution among regions. The overall assessment of various policies on population redistribution, however, revealed that the effect of the policy efforts has not been great as they originally anticipated. Various reasons can be cited for the failure of the past policies. Among them the followings were frequently mentioned; lack of integration among policy measures; weak linkage between relocation and accommodation; and non-existence of single authority for overall implementation of the polices. Based on the past experiences the followings are suggested in pursuing future policies. First, the short-term objective or target should be clearly defined. Second, policy measures have to be designed to go with rather than against market forces. Third, indirect incentives or aids are more effective than direct controls or regulations. Fourth, local participation has to be secured in every phase of policy formulation and implementation.