Meet Jiro: Why We Care About Local Communities
Hello, this is Jiro!
Today, we’d like to properly introduce who we are and why we do what we do.
Jiro is a project team formed by Korean university students who share a common concern: the quiet disappearance of local regions—and with them, someone’s hometown, memories, and everyday life.
Rather than standing by, we asked ourselves a simple question:
“What can we do, right now?”
That question became the starting point of Jiro, and it continues to guide our work in regional revitalization.
To keep things easy and engaging, let us introduce ourselves through a short Q&A.
1) What does Jiro do?
Every month, we publish Jiro Letter, a newsletter that shares stories and updates from local regions across Korea.
Each issue is available in Korean, Japanese, and English, allowing these stories to reach readers beyond borders.
In addition, we provide free AI-based consulting for local residents and local governments, exploring practical and realistic ways technology can support regional revitalization.
2) What does “regional depopulation” mean to Jiro?
To us, regional depopulation is not simply about administrative districts disappearing from a map. It means someone’s hometown fading away. Also it means memories, relationships, and everyday lives quietly vanishing.
We deeply respect the efforts of governments and local activists who work tirelessly to slow this trend. Still, watching communities struggle can feel overwhelming—and at times, deeply discouraging.
That sense of loss is exactly why Jiro exists.
3) Who are the members of Jiro?
All Jiro members are currently university students.
But we never treat regional depopulation as a distant or “light” issue.
We approach it seriously and thoughtfully, while also bringing fresh perspectives—always searching for new ways to imagine meaningful regional change.
Fields of Study
1) English Language & Literature
2) Japanese Regional Studies (Double Major)
3) Korean Language & Literature (Minor)
4) Psychoanalysis & Humanities Counseling Content (Micro-Major)
Role
Planning, public relations, field research, and consulting
About
Jiro began from my long-standing interest in local regions. Through my university experiences, I realized something important: if local regions disappear, the so-called “center” cannot survive either.
That realization led us to visit regions ourselves—thinking deeply about what makes people want to stay, and what kinds of environments allow people to live with dignity.
We are always open to new places and stories, so feel free to reach out anytime.
Fields of Study
1) Sociology
2) Business Administration (Double Major)
3) Future Automotive Studies (Micro-Major)
Role
Operations, public relations, field research, and consulting
About
As local regions continue to lose vitality, the issue of regional depopulation feels more urgent than ever. I started Jiro hoping that even a small effort could help slow this trend.
As university students—and as outsiders—we hope our perspective can help uncover new ways of seeing a region’s hidden strengths. We are committed to giving this our best.
4) How does Jiro work?
Simply put—we go where the stories are.
Jiro actively attends seminars related to regional revitalization and travels directly to local communities. We listen carefully to residents, learn each region’s unique character, and gather stories that are often overlooked.
Rather than chasing short-term “success,” we focus on long-term change—helping regions become places that are cherished, livable, and deeply human.
That is our ultimate goal.
5) What values does Jiro stand for?
At Jiro, our core value is honoring each region’s unique identity and story.
Once, we heard a public official say,
“If Seoul does it, everyone follows.”
That sentence stayed with us.
Too often, Seoul-centered models—or so-called “successful” regional policies—are copied and pasted across the country, sometimes with little more than a name change.
But regions are not interchangeable.
Each place has its own environment, rhythms of life, and history. Yet for a long time, we have measured regional success by “Seoul-style” standards, often overlooking what truly makes each region special.
That is why Jiro chooses a different path. We design change on site, grounded in local context and lived experience.
Regional revitalization, to us, does not mean becoming like Seoul.
It means living well—as that region itself.
6) What does the name “Jiro” mean?
“Jiro” carries two meanings in Korean:
“Right now, local” and “Right now, toward the regions.”
At a time when the survival of local communities is at risk, the name reminds us that now is the moment to pay attention—and to act.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Jiro.
We hope you’ll continue to follow our journey.
Curious to learn more about Jiro?
JIRO Website: www.en.localnow.kr
JIRO Instagram: www.instagram.com/localnow.kr
JIRO YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@localnow_kr
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