6.6% Increase from Last Year, Focus on Regional Balanced Development... Includes 'Songpa-type 3 Starting Support Funds' Such as Seoul's First Autonomous District Coming-of-Age Support Fund
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) has submitted the 2021 budget proposal focused on regional balanced development, including the establishment of a comprehensive development strategy for the Geoyeomacheon area, to the Songpa-gu Council.
The submitted “2021 Revenue and Expenditure Budget Proposal” amounts to 963.5 billion KRW, an increase of 6.6% from the original budget of 903.6 billion KRW.
The district allocated 200 million KRW for a research project to establish the Geoyeomacheon Comprehensive Development Plan, demonstrating its commitment to regional balanced development.
Based on this, plans include ▲construction of a large-scale complex facility in Geoye 2-1 district ▲exploring utilization plans for land donated through redevelopment and other projects ▲presenting a future blueprint linked to the natural ecological stream of Seongnaecheon, which will be restored in the mid to long term.
Additionally, a research project will be conducted to revitalize the section from the Sports Complex to Sincheon Matgol to Olympic Park, preparing for the development of the International Exchange Complex District.
Children’s parks scattered throughout the villages will be sequentially developed into Green New Deal and cultural arts children’s parks, while the Tancheon and Jamsil retention basins will be reorganized into pleasant spaces for community sports. A project for creating a drone-specialized city will also be implemented.
Furthermore, in cooperation with the city, efforts will be made to promote the Pungnap-dong urban regeneration project, develop a historical and cultural experience village, and create a family-friendly Ogeum Park, aiming for balanced development across the entire district.
The completion of the Songpa Dullegil trail, a key project of the 7th elected administration, is also included. The plan is to complete a 21km fully circular trail accessible to all residents by constructing the previously restricted Tancheon section and creating specialized spaces.
In particular, starting next year, 2.9 billion KRW will be invested to provide the “Songpa-type 3-kind Starting Support Fund.”
Songpa-gu plans to be the first autonomous district in Seoul to provide a “Coming-of-Age Starting Support Fund” of 100,000 KRW per person in local currency to those turning 19 next year. Considering that the population aged 19 to 39 is about 220,000, the largest in Seoul, the district explained that support for the youth will be strengthened.
Additionally, the eligibility for childbirth congratulatory money will be expanded from the second child and above to include the first child, and 300,000 KRW will be provided as entrance preparation funds for middle and high school students.
To improve residents’ quality of life, 55.88 billion KRW, accounting for 58% of the total budget, has been allocated to education, jobs, welfare, and health. Using this, the Songpa Future Education Center will be expanded from 8 to 15 centers, and projects such as operating a musical instrument library and music creation studio, expanding 27 Care SOS centers, creating a New Deal hall at the Songpa Integrated Job Support Center, and issuing an additional 20 billion KRW in Songpa Love gift certificates will be implemented.
In the culture, tourism, and environment sector, which will receive 71 billion KRW, infrastructure development and climate change response measures stand out. The plan is to develop Seokchon Lake as a tourist attraction through the creation of the Seokchon Lake Art Gallery and the opening of the Seokchon Lake Atelier, and to revitalize the Songpa Cultural Foundation to expand the cultural base.
Also, the Green New Deal urban forest creation project will be actively promoted, and through hosting a carbon neutrality symposium and conducting carbon reduction campaigns, the district aims to become a leading city in climate change response.
In addition, 54 billion KRW has been allocated to general public administration to continue the complex redevelopment of the aging public office in Bangi 2-dong, build a complex office building in Jamsilbon-dong, and create village vitality centers, thereby expanding insufficient public infrastructure and establishing regional development hubs.
Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “Considering the increased uncertainty due to COVID-19, we focused on regional balanced development and improving residents’ quality of life from a long-term perspective to lead Songpa’s future.” He added, “We will actively communicate and cooperate with the council to ensure that this budget proposal passes as originally planned and bring new vitality to our residents.”
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