The shrinking population in Jeju has rebounded since COVID-19 broke out.
Experts say that temporary residents who want to avoid virus-prone areas have led to the population growth.
Todd Thacker reports.

The COVID-19 crisis has meant that increasing numbers of people have chosen to move to Jeju from the mainland.

According to Statistics Korea, at the end of last year Jeju was seeing a net population outflow. In the month of March alone, the island lost 360 residents.
However, the shrinking population in Jeju has rebounded. A net inflow of 450 residents was recorded in June.


(경기) Gyeonggi Province and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province are the only areas that have observed a net population inflow for three consecutive months among 17 cities and provinces in the nation.


Increasing numbers of temporary residents, not permanent residents, have contributed to the net influx.


Experts say that people are staying at short-term rental houses or guest houses for long or short stays to avoid virus-prone areas on the mainland.


As the COVID-19 situation and local economic recovery plays out, these and other factors are expected to have a major impact on future population changes in Jeju Province.

Todd Thacker, KCTV