{
  "id": 12527137,
  "title": "3 municipalities added to list of 'depopulation' areas, total at 92",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/3-municipalities-added-to-list-of-depopulation-areas-total-at-92",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T02:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20261007/3-municipalities-added-to-list-of-depopulation-areas-total-at-92"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korea has expanded its list of municipalities experiencing depopulation, bringing the total to 92, officials announced on Thursday. The interior ministry designated Geumjeong Ward in southeastern Busan, Dongducheon north of Seoul, and Tongyeong, a southeastern city, as new areas at risk of regional extinction. This brings the total number of depopulation areas to 92, following the ministry's initial announcement of the list in 2021 as part of efforts to provide targeted support to combat declining populations. South Korea has been grappling with low birth rates and an overcrowded capital region, leading to many areas struggling to maintain their population numbers. The updated list encompasses 16 areas from South Jeolla Province in the southwest, 15 from North Gyeongsang Province in the east, and 12 each from South Gyeongsang Province and Gangwon Province in the southeast. Additionally, the list includes 10 areas from southwestern North Jeolla Province, nine from central Chungcheong Province in the center, and six locations.",
  "summary": "South Korea has added three more municipalities to its list of \"depopulation\" areas, raising the number of cities, counties and wards facing risk of regional extinction to 92, officials said Thursday. The interior ministry newly designated Geumjeong Ward of the southeastern city of Busan, Dongducheon, just north of Seoul, and the southeastern city of Tongyeong in addition to the country's…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korea adds 3 more municipalities to depopulation list, total 92",
    "Geumjeong Ward in Busan, Dongducheon near Seoul, Tongyeong designated",
    "List includes 16 from South Jeolla, 15 from North Gyeongsang provinces"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The expansion of the depopulation list to 92 municipalities highlights the widespread nature of South Korea's population decline, with many regions now classified as at risk of regional extinction.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "3 municipalities added to list of 'depopulation' areas, total at 92",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/3-municipalities-added-to-list-of-depopulation-areas-total-at-92-12530827",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:30:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "3 municipalities added to list of 'depopulation' areas, total at 92",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/3-municipalities-added-to-list-of-depopulation-areas-total-at-92-12530567",
        "published": "2026-10-07T03:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}