Eligibility review to proceed transparently, with payments to follow in sequence
Yeoncheon-gun announced Tuesday that it closed applications for its "2026 Second-Half Farmers and Fishers Opportunity Income Support Project" on Oct. 8, following an application period that began Sept. 7.
A total of 5,670 people applied, up 389, or about 7.4 percent, from 5,281 during the same period last year. The increase reflects growing awareness and participation among local farmers and fishers as the opportunity income program enters its second year. Yeoncheon-gun said it has carried out ongoing outreach and guidance to ensure more farmers and fishers can benefit from the program.
The application window was operated in accordance with project guidelines, allowing eligible farmers and fishers to apply within the set deadline. Now that the window has closed, officials will review submitted applications and supporting documents to verify eligibility, assess the adequacy of paperwork and confirm whether any applicants fall under exclusion criteria.
Yeoncheon-gun said it will conduct the review fairly and transparently in line with relevant standards, and will proceed with payment procedures in sequence once eligible recipients are confirmed.
The county expects the program to go beyond simple income support — raising public awareness of the broader social value of farming and fishing, and contributing to the sustainable vitality of rural communities.
Park Ki-nam, head of the agricultural policy division, said the opportunity income program is "a meaningful policy that recognizes the public value of farming, fishing and rural communities and provides tangible support for that value." He added that with applications now closed, the county will do its utmost to carry out follow-up procedures — including eligibility verification and recipient selection — without delay, so that farmers and fishers can receive support reliably.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
