Sokcho, Gangwon, reported a leading average credit card expenditure of 150,000 won per visitor, indicating its strong competitiveness as a destination in areas facing population decline.
On the 15th, Sokcho City in Gangwon Province revealed that the average credit card spending per visitor reached 150,000 won in the third quarter of the previous year, making it the top competitive area for visiting regions affected by population decline. This data was published following an analysis of the living population in decreasing population areas released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Data Agency last month.
Sokcho also ranked first in living population per unit area, with approximately 927,000 residents translated into a density of 8,771 individuals per square kilometer over its administrative area of 105.76 square kilometers. The living population refers to the actual population which combines registered residents and transient populations as defined by the Special Law on Support for Areas Facing Population Decline. In the province, several regions, including Taebaek and Yeongwol, are classified as decreasing population areas, while cities like Gangneung, Donghae, and Sokcho are identified as areas of interest regarding population decline.
Mayor Lee Byung-sun emphasized that Sokcho aims to transition from being merely a tourist spot to a city where visits translate into actual consumption and regional economic revitalization. He underscored the importance of linking city competitiveness with the intent to dwell and invest, aiming for a strategy that fosters sustainable growth and community engagement.
