The country said Thursday that it would erect 24 American-style buildings over the next three years on 24,000 sq.m at a cost of W7.4 billion (US$7.4 million). It plans to start construction at the end of this year once plans are complete and the land has been bought. The ground should be fully prepared by next year, and roads and homes are scheduled for completion in 2007.

The land is to be allotted to Korean-Americans who adopt Korean citizenship and register as residents of Namhae County at reasonable prices. The aim is to boost Korea’s population, which is set to start shrinking within the next few decades if the birthrate remains at a record low. If residents want to leave within 10 years, they must sell their homes back to the county, which will try to find other Korean-American occupants.

Namhae County earlier created a 92,000 sq.m German Village to resettle Koreans who went to Germany during the 1960s and 1970s as miners and nurses. Currently, some 20 German-style homes have been completed or are being constructed, and about 10 households or 20 people in all have moved in.

(englishnews@chosun.com )