This study aims to examine the current status of mountain villages, analyze the characteristics of population change and make the population projection in the mountainous area and establish a questionnaire for the socio-economic survey of mountain villages. The report is organized as follows. First, we examine the notion and characteristics of mountain villages by reviewing literatures. Second, we analyze the characteristics of population change and make population projection in mountainous area, employing the cohort-change ratios method. Finally, we propose the questionnaire for the microscopic survey of mountain villages.

Mountainous areas are defined as local towns(eup or myeon) with forest ratio of less than 70 percent, population density under 111 per square kilometers, and plowland ratio of less than 21 percent. Population in mountainous areas has decreased dramatically, while the ageing index has increased. To make the population projection, the cohort-change ratios method is applied. Cohort-change ratios revealed that the multitude of young generation moved to cities to find education and job chances, and some matured generation moved to mountainous area to live in. This continuing trend will culminate in 680 thousand people and 1,035 ageing index in 2030, which brings about the inequal land development and inefficient forest management. In order to address these issues, policy makers need to develop some stimulus plans that revitalize and stabilize the economy of mountainous areas.

For the purpose of the application to the sustainability assessment of mountain villages, a survey questionnaire classified as three sectors, including environmental, social, and economic sectors, was developed and investigated by stakeholders that include residents and specialists in the mountain village. As for the environmental sector of the indicators, 'the harmonization of residential areas and surroundings', 'water pollution', and 'potential for development of natural resources' appeared to be important. In the category of social sector, indicators for human resources such as the existence of a community leader are considered the most essential factor, while in the economic sector the competitiveness of local products appeared to be substantial. It is noteworthy that the indicators in this study unlike others not merely focus on physical and economic aspects but encompass social and human resources factors.

Maintaining and revitalizing the local society and economy are crucial to seek the balanced development and improve the public benefit of forests. To develop the monitoring scheme that observes and improves the sustainable indicators, support and research on mountain villages should be provided.


Researchers: Kyung-Taek Min, Ho-Gun Chong, Myeong-Eun Kim, Ja-Choon Koo
Research period: 2013. 2. - 2013. 7.
E-mail address: minkt@krei.re.kr