쉬슈워 Swi Syu Wo , 신지훈 Shin Ji-hoon

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.001 Vol.32(No.1) 1-14, 2026

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This study focuses on national-level traditional villages in the Shandong section of the Yellow River Basin, selects 17 national-level traditional villages as research samples. The research is Typeided into three stages: identifying landscape characteristics at the full regional scale, identifying landscape characteristics at the regional scale of traditional villages, and identifying landscape characteristics of in Typeidual traditional village cases. Identifying landscape characteristics at the full regional scale requires analyzing the entire research area, especially the natural base environment. This study used elevation, relief, slope, and land cover type data as identification factors. With the ArcGIS platform, it analyzed the natural base environment. After standardizing data and conducting fuzzy overlay analysis, six landscape characteristics were identified, like low - altitude hilly and plain farmland landscapes. At the regional scale, this study selected 10 identification factors through data collection and fieldwork. Using SPSS for analysis, it classified traditional villages into three landscape types: “Near - Mountain Forest Clan Preservation Type”, “Near - Water Hilly Farming Clan Type”, and “Yellow River Plain Agro - Commercial Clan Type”. For in Typeidual cases, one village from each type (Zhangqiu Shixia Village, Sande Fan Village, and Shanxincun Village) was chosen for detailed descriptions of geographical, tangible, and intangible landscapes. Finally, protection strategies for different regional types were proposed considering their survival status and development needs.

송주희 Song Juhee , 손용훈 Son Yonghoon

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.015 Vol.32(No.1) 15-32, 2026

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Rural landscapes have undergone substantial transformations due to spatial changes and agricultural policies at both domestic and international levels. To effectively conserve, manage, and plan these landscapes, it is essential to consider not only the physical functions of agricultural activities but also the sociocultural contexts of rural areas. In this context, the concept of multifunctionality has been gaining increasing attention. Multifunctionality is applied in various fields―including ecosystem services, agriculture, and landscape services―and encompasses both the physical outputs of natural ecosystems and the sociocultural phenomena arising from socio-ecological interactions. In South Korea, rural landscape evaluations have been conducted since the early 2000s through related laws and programs. However, current evaluation methods face limitations in terms of appropriateness and objectivity. The Rural Space Restructuring Act, enacted in 2024, aims to enhance multifunctionality through spatial planning, yet lacks sufficient frameworks for evaluation and monitoring. This study aims to categorize concepts related to the evaluation methods of rural landscape multifunctionality through a systematic literature review. By quantitatively synthesizing the evaluation indicators for each concept, this research seeks to derive implications for future rural landscape studies and policy.

정욱재 Jung Wook-jai , 손용훈 Son Yonghoon

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.033 Vol.32(No.1) 33-45, 2026

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Trails connect people with nature and local communities, providing health, cultural, and economic benefits. However, rural walking trails in Korea often face persistent challenges such as fragmented planning, limited professional capacity, and insufficient long-term management. This study analyzes the Namhae Barae-gil 2.0 regeneration project (2020-2024) to identify practical strategies for revitalizing rural walking trail-based tourism. The research was conducted through a qualitative approach combining in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and a review of relevant literature. The findings indicate that the regeneration strategy can be structured around three key pillars: (1) Governance Structure : integrating management under the Namhae Tourism & Culture Foundation, recruiting external professional experts, strengthening linkages with the Korea Dulle-gil Trail and related national initiatives, and revising local ordinances; (2) Service Quality : completing the circular main route, diversifying branch, village, and island-themed trails, and strengthening branding through design renewal, storytelling, and the introduction of a dedicated mobile application; and (3) Community Co-Benefits : implementing wellness-oriented programs, training local trail stewards, and promoting community-based events in collaboration with local actors. The study emphasizes the importance of developing objective indicators to clearly articulate the value of Namhae Barae-gil in order to secure the legitimacy of continued policy support and public investment. While recruiting external expertise proved essential for project acceleration, challenges remain in retaining professional personnel and establishing sustainable institutional mechanisms. Namhae Barae-gil thus serves as a reference model for planning and managing rural walking trails in Korea.

최영완 Choi Young-wan , 엄민호 Um Minho , 강동현 Kang Dong-hyeon , 김영주 Kim Young-joo

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.047 Vol.32(No.1) 47-59, 2026

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This study aims to explore strategic directions for youth policy to ensure the sustainability of regions facing population decline, a critical issue in South Korea. For this purpose, Hapcheon-gun, a representative area experiencing severe population decline and youth outflow, was selected for an in-depth case study. By utilizing data from this study’s survey of young people in Hapcheon-gun and Focus Group Interviews (FGI), the policy demands of local youth were analyzed. The research findings indicate that the core reasons for youth outflow are not merely a quantitative lack of jobs but a combination of economic factors, such as a deficiency in ‘quality jobs’ and ‘diversity’ in non-agricultural sectors, and quality-of-life factors, including a lack of ‘stable housing’, ‘hub spaces for culture and exchange’, and ‘integrated policy information’. In contrast, existing policies were heavily focused on supporting young farmers or limited to short-term cash support, failing to build the comprehensive life ecosystem that young people desire. Based on this analysis, this study proposes a new paradigm for youth policy in population decline areas, presenting three strategic directions. First, fostering a job ecosystem centered on ‘job quality’ and ‘diversity’, moving beyond an agriculture-centric focus. Second, establishing an integrated settlement environment as a ‘place to live’, transcending fragmented support. Third, establishing youth-led governance and innovating the policy delivery system to ensure policy effectiveness. This study emphasizes that for regional sustainability, youth policy must evolve to create an integrated ecosystem encompassing jobs, housing, culture, and community. The policy implications derived from the Hapcheon-gun case offer a universal model applicable to other regions facing similar crises

김린 Kim Rin , 박유진 Park Yujin , 강수정 Kang Sujeong , 이상우 Lee Sang-woo , 조숙영 Cho Suk-yeong , 김상범 Kim Sang-bum , 이정아 Lee Junga

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.061 Vol.32(No.1) 61-72, 2026

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Rural areas in Korea are experiencing intensified structural decline caused by population loss, rapid aging, urban expansion, and the weakening of the agricultural base. In response, the government enacted the Act on the Restructuring and Regeneration Support of Rural Spacesin 2024 and launched rural spatial planning for 139 cities and counties. However, the lack of diagnostic frameworks and systematic guidelines has limited the development of region-specific spatial strategies. This study employed a vulnerability assessment indicator system grounded in the concept of rural livability. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the relative importance of 40 sub-indicators was quantified, and the derived weights were applied to all 139 administrative units to evaluate rural vulnerability and identify spatial and functional characteristics. Among the first-level domains, the living area showed the highest importance, followed by community, production, and rest areas. At the second level, settlement environment, productivity, cultural and recreational infrastructure, and community activities were identified as influential sub-domains. In the third hierarchy, village community participation, commercial facilities, population growth, vacant houses, and medical infrastructure were the most critical indicators, suggesting that social infrastructure and community cohesion play central roles in shaping rural vulnerability. Geoje-si, Suncheon-si, Gyeryong-si, Iksan-si, and Goheung-gun exhibited the highest vulnerability levels. By integrating AHP-derived weights and applying them nationwide, this study enhances the methodological precision and policy relevance of livability-based assessments, providing a scientific foundation for prioritizing policy resources and formulating region-specific strategies.

정미숙 Jeong Mi-sook , 이아영 Lee A-young , 박신애 Park Sin-ae

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.073 Vol.32(No.1) 73-87, 2026

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Smart agricultural technologies based on automation and data-driven systems can reduce physical workload compared with conventional farming. These features may expand accessible vocational options for individuals with physical disabilities who use mobility aids. This study aimed to develop an agro-healing program integrating smart agricultural technologies tailored for individuals with physical disabilities and to evaluate its effectiveness. A total of 18 participants (6 males and 12 females) with physical disabilities requiring mobility aids were recruited. The agro-healing program integrated information and communication technology (ICT)-based smart agriculture with traditional crop cultivation activities and adopted the PERMA model of positive psychology (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) as the psychological intervention framework. The program was delivered once weekly for eight sessions at three welfare facilities for persons with disabilities in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Standardized self-report measures were administered before and after the intervention, including depression, state anxiety, self-esteem, resilience, work engagement, PERMA, and self-efficacy. Depression scores (Beck Depression Inventory) significantly decreased after participation (p < 0.01). In addition, the total PERMA score significantly increased (p < 0.01), and self-efficacy also improved (p < 0.05).An agro-healing program integrating smart agricultural technologies may be a meaningful intervention for individuals with physical disabilities by promoting emotional stability, enhancing positive well-being, and strengthening psychological rehabilitation potential.1)

김은솔 Kim Eunsol , 배성훈 Bae Sunghoon , 최희진 Choi Heejin , 박소영 Park Soyoung , 강은지 Kang Eunji , 권기덕 Kwon Giduck , 이재호 Lee Jaeho

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.089 Vol.32(No.1) 89-103, 2026

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This study was conducted to enhance the effectiveness of rural spatial planning under the Rural Spatial Restructuring and Regeneration Act. Rural areas in Gyeonggi Province, in particular, are characterized by the expansion of the metropolitan area, rapid urbanization, the unique characteristics of border regions, and the complex interactions between tourism and agriculture. Therefore, analysis at the city/county level alone cannot explain regional heterogeneity. This study utilizes a multidimensional approach that combines policy and project analysis, text analysis, and quantitative data analysis to propose a spatial classification model that simultaneously reflects regional consistency and the detailed characteristics of townships and villages within cities and counties. Analysis of project policies revealed that cities and counties pursue diverse development goals, including agricultural revitalization, tourism, urbanization response, and industrial infrastructure expansion. Text analysis extracted keywords related to agriculture, tourism, urbanization, and development potential to quantitatively identify differences in living areas at the town/county level. Quantitative data clustering analysis identified four factors―industrial economy, rural infrastructure, tourism and environment, and residential accessibility―and compared the functional characteristics of each town/county. Finally, by synthesizing the results of three analyses (policy and business analysis, text analysis, and quantitative cluster analysis), we classified rural areas in Gyeonggi Province into five regions (port-urban area, metropolitan residential area, peace-tourism area, leisure-recreation area, and high-tech agriculture-urban area), which were further subdivided into eight spatial types. This study is unique in that it proposes an integrated regional classification model that reflects policy context, resident perception, and objective indicators, moving beyond the fragmented approaches of existing studies. 1)

유지선 Yu Ji-sun , 이수현 Lee Soo-hyun , 신지훈 Shin Ji-hoon

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.105 Vol.32(No.1) 105-115, 2026

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This study aims to provide fundamental data for systematic rural landscape management and planning by applying a landscape typology approach that integrates GIS-based spatial analysis and cluster analysis to Gonam-myeon, Taean-gun. Slope, land cover, and the Ecological and Natural Map were selected as key spatial attributes, reclassified according to the research purpose, and overlaid to derive minimum landscape units. Subsequently, k-means cluster analysis was conducted. The optimal number of clusters was determined through a combined assessment of the elbow method, the Calinski-Harabasz index, and the Davies-Bouldin index. The results indicate that the landscape of Gonam-myeon is characterized by a predominance of gentle terrain and a wide distribution of natural and semi-natural land cover types. Through cluster analysis, six landscape types were identified, among which the type characterized by intensive agricultural use on gentle terrain accounted for the largest proportion. In addition, forest-based landscape types were widely distributed, forming major structural components of the study area together with agricultural landscapes. Although some landscape types occupied relatively small areas, they were interpreted as having important implications for landscape management and restoration. The derived landscape typology is expected to serve as basic reference data for establishing differentiated management and planning strategies for rural landscapes in the future.

문용식 Moon Yongsik , 양주영 Yang Juyoung , 변승연 Byeun Seungyeon , 김기윤 Kim Kiyoon , 문승우 Moon Seungwoo , 최하연 Choi Hayeon , 유도일 Yoo Do-il

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.117 Vol.32(No.1) 117-132, 2026

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The need for comprehensive implementation of farm succession promotion policies has been increasingly emphasized due to the continuous rise in farmland conversion and the persistent shortage of successors. Accordingly, this study identifies policy priorities for promoting farm succession by systematically evaluating policy measures from economic, social, and cultural perspectives using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results indicate that farmland acquisition support, settlement conditions improvements, expansion of transferor pension schemes, and promotion for non-agricultural income generation are ranked as the highest policy priorities. Sensitivity analysis further confirms that these top-ranked policy measures remain robust under alternative weighting scenarios. The findings suggest that farm succession policies should prioritize economically stabilizing measures while maintaining flexibility in the implementation of lower-ranked policies. Overall, this study provides practical insights for designing effective policy strategies to promote sustainable farm succession.

김종필 Kim Jong-pil , 김태연 Kim Tae-yeon , 윤상헌 Yun Sang-hun , 임청룡 Lim Cheong-ryong

DOI:10.7851/ksrp.2026.32.1.133 Vol.32(No.1) 133-141, 2026

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This study analyzes the determinants of rural population change in Korea using provincial panel data from 2013-2023, with a focus on age-specific dynamics. Hausman tests confirmed the validity of fixed-effect models, and results reveal distinct mechanisms across cohorts. For residents under 65, agricultural income growth and return migration significantly support population retention, while transfer income exhibits a negative effect, indicating weakened settlement incentives from non-productive income dependence. For residents 65 and older, non-farm income, transfer income, and regional GDP positively influence population stability, whereas higher emergency medical visits exert a negative effect, underscoring the role of stable income, regional vitality, and healthcare accessibility for the elderly. Policy implications highlight the need for differentiated strategies: productive income creation, smart farming, and settlement packages for younger cohorts; versus stable income, social services, and healthcare infrastructure for older cohorts. Importantly, these findings align with Korea’s recently institutionalized Rural Spatial Planning, which integrates residential, economic, and welfare functions. Linking cohort-based policies with spatial frameworks―such as youth settlement villages, social overhead capital, medical hubs, and age-friendly housing―can reinforce demographic sustainability. This study provides empirical evidence to guide targeted policy design for balanced urban-rural development and rural resilience.