{
  "id": 12530567,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T03:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "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 facing depopulation risks, bringing the total to 92, officials announced on Thursday. The interior ministry designated Geumjeong Ward in southeastern Busan, Dongducheon north of Seoul, and Tongyeong in southeastern Tongyeong as new areas to be included on the list. The ministry initially unveiled the list of 89 depopulation areas in 2021 to provide targeted support and aid to these regions grappling with dwindling populations. South Korea has been grappling with historically low birth rates and a crowded capital area, which have left numerous regions struggling to counteract declining populations. The updated list comprises 16 areas from South Jeolla Province, 15 from North Gyeongsang Province, and an equal number each from South Gyeongsang Province and Gangwon Province. It also includes 10 areas from southwestern North Jeolla Province, nine from central South Chungcheong Province, and six from other unspecified regions.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:52:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}