Yecheon-gun in North Gyeongsang Province maintains steady population growth despite widespread rural declines. Current figures show 53,887 residents, marking a 20.6% increase from 44,674 in 2015. Among 73 non-metropolitan counties, only six have achieved similar gains over the past decade.
Top Destination for Winter Sports Training
Officials highlight Yecheon-gun’s status as the nation’s leading winter training hub. In 2021, it overtook major sites like Jeonbuk Stadium and Jinhae National Stadium to claim the top spot for lodging reservations. The county now draws over 120,000 visitors annually—more than double its population—from athletes and coaches nationwide.
Economic Revival Through Sports Tourism
These visitors fuel local prosperity. Sports enthusiasts fill hotels, restaurants, and shops, generating direct spending exceeding 100 million USD and indirect economic effects pushing totals past 200 million USD yearly. Facilities for soccer, baseball, tennis, and more enable year-round activity, with affordable lodging attracting teams from across Korea.
Analysis reveals that sports infrastructure transforms rural economies. Yeongnam University Professor So Soon-chang states, “Yecheon represents a successful population marketing strategy via its sports town concept. Overseas examples also leverage sports to concentrate people and activate economies.”
Challenging Rural Depopulation
While many rural areas grapple with shrinking numbers due to aging and outmigration, Yeocheon bucks the trend. Dedicated training complexes draw elite competitors, sustaining jobs and halting decline.
