If you haven't noticed, here's the news. An increasing number of young, educated Koreans are quietly submitting their resignation letter to their employers. It's not because they found a better-paying job at a rival company. They are heading to the countryside.

These individuals are mostly in their 30s, having several years of work experience under their belt. For example, Park Suk-jae, 36, previously worked for a telecom company for eight years before he decided to come to Hamyang county in South Gyeongsang Province a year ago. He now grows persimmon trees, in addition to potatoes and peppers.

Since he's a "late starter" in agriculture, he had registered himself to a crop-breeding class. "The local government subsidized half of the purchases on agricultural machines I need. I also plan to apply for a 200 million-won loan that the government provides to the start-up farmers," he told the Maeil Business newspaper.

Lately in Korea, ``Returning to the farm" has been a trend among those who retired, who are in their 50s and 60s. But now it is taken over by those in their 30s who take farming not as their pastime activities, but as their livelihood.

The new trend is driven by uncertainty in urban life. "Life in big cities has more or less the same uncertainty if you quit now or quit in five years," said Park.

According to the government data, the number of rural-bound people among those city dwellers in their 30s had been about 300 annually since 2000, but the number doubled last year to 603 households.

Park Sung-yong, 39, who used to work as an advertisement agent in Seoul for 15 years, went to the scenic Jeju island in September and now devotes his life to environment-friendly organic farming. He sold his house in Seoul, meaning he's determined to start a new life there.

Meanwhile, schools that teach agricultural technology are busy dealing with applicants these days. For example, the newspaper said, the one run by the Seoul Metropolitan City had 50 openings, but 140 people applied, indicating there is already a "fierce" competition to become a farmer.

Lee Sang-hun, 35, who works in the financial sector, plans to go to the countryside soon. "The government support, including subsidy, is a big factor. That means, if you are dedicated and have access to necessary information, you could succeed even with a small fund," he said.

The government also has a generous policy for these ardent pre-farmers. For example, if one doesn't have land, the government will loan it for him, and subsidize his purchase of agricultural machinery.

But not all the cases are success stories. A 35-year-old man, surnamed Park, went to the countryside in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, but he had to return to Seoul after his crop failed and he had difficulty in mingling with the locals.