ID :
207230
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 05:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/207230
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Population of five border islands up slightly despite tension
INCHEON (Yonhap) - The registered population of the five western islands near the tense border with North Korea has risen slightly despite heightened tensions after last year's two deadly attacks by the North, local officials said Thursday.
The number of registered residents of the five islands, including Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong, increased by 2.6 percent to 8,540 last month from 8,318 in November last year when the North shelled Yeonpyeong Island, according to Ongjin County, which governs the islands in the Yellow Sea.
The move comes as tensions persist between the two divided Koreas over Pyongyang's sinking of a South Korean warship in March last year and the shelling of Yeonpyeong. Pyongyang has refused to take responsibility for the two deadly attacks that killed 50 South Koreans. The shelling also destroyed dozens of homes and public buildings.
The local authority attributed the rise to various government support being provided to residents of the islands.
Under a special law that went into effect in January, people who have been living on the islands for more than six months get a monthly 50,000 won (US$45.3) per person in state subsidies aimed at enhancing their economic stability.
The government also covers educational costs of students attending high school on the islands and gives them special advantage in university admissions.
The number of registered residents of the five islands, including Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong, increased by 2.6 percent to 8,540 last month from 8,318 in November last year when the North shelled Yeonpyeong Island, according to Ongjin County, which governs the islands in the Yellow Sea.
The move comes as tensions persist between the two divided Koreas over Pyongyang's sinking of a South Korean warship in March last year and the shelling of Yeonpyeong. Pyongyang has refused to take responsibility for the two deadly attacks that killed 50 South Koreans. The shelling also destroyed dozens of homes and public buildings.
The local authority attributed the rise to various government support being provided to residents of the islands.
Under a special law that went into effect in January, people who have been living on the islands for more than six months get a monthly 50,000 won (US$45.3) per person in state subsidies aimed at enhancing their economic stability.
The government also covers educational costs of students attending high school on the islands and gives them special advantage in university admissions.
