Facing a demographic collapse, Yeongyang County’s reported refugee resettlement plan — though not formally confirmed — reflects growing pressure on rural governments to find unconventional solutions to population decline.

In recent weeks, South Korean media reports suggested that this small county in North Gyeongsang Province was planning to resettle around 40 Myanmar refugees as part of a pilot project. The idea immediately drew sharp public criticism, and after a series of conflicting statements from officials, the truth proved to be more complicated.

Contrary to reports of formal talks with the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations High Commissioner for