Journal of the Korean Geographical Society ISSN:1225-6633(Print) 대한지리학회지

Return-to-farm migrants have experienced changes in their making livelihoods out of local resources as socio-economic environment has been changed as a result of increased income through economic development along with the development of transportation and information-communication technology. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to show how return-to-farm migrants have altered their ways of making livelihoods, and to find the changing factors. These changing factors were found in evolving symmetry structure of return-to-farm activities, and in shifting types of starting business and successive business. The findings are as follows: Changes in creating livelihoods for migrants who had returned to farm and rural areas in both 2012 and 2023 resulted in a decline in conventional agriculture in rural and mountain villages and a transition to smart agriculture using multifunctionality and ICT. Therefore, in converging industries that enable a circular economy in rural area need to be developed to support sustainable local agriculture which consists of local production in local areas. In addition, smart agriculture which uses automated ICT needs to be supported to compensate for shortages in manpower and to reduce carbon and to be eco-friendly. And in creating a livelihood, it is essential to increase symbiotic exchanges between urban and rural residents who are of affiliated populations in order to allow local residents more job opportunities and social contribution, and to add values by branding products.