Seoul Jung-gu Council Regular Meeting Opens... Deliberation on Jung-gu 2021 Budget Proposal (532.2 Billion KRW)

Thorough Preparation for Next Year's Budget Review... 5th One-Point Supplementary Budget Deliberation and District Questions

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Jung-gu Council of Seoul (Chairman Jo Young-hoon) opened the 261st regular session for 26 days from November 23 to December 18.

From November 24 to December 9, the standing committees will review ordinances, the 2021 general and special account project budgets, and the 5th supplementary budget for 2020. On December 10 and 11, the 2nd and 3rd plenary sessions will be held, during which council members will ask questions about overall district administration and receive responses.

Following that, from December 14 to 17, the Budget and Accounts Special Committee will conduct its review.

The council will handle various agenda items, including the budgets reviewed by the standing committees and the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, at the 4th plenary session on December 18 and then close the regular session.

The size of the 2021 general and special account project budgets submitted by the district office is 532.2 billion KRW, an increase of 24.9 billion KRW (4.91%) compared to this year's budget.

The general account is 482.8522 billion KRW, and the special account is 49.31782 billion KRW.

Along with this, the 5th supplementary budget for 2020 was submitted as a one-point supplementary budget. An amount of 3.14 billion KRW was allocated using contingency funds to cover the shortfall in the basic pension.

Council member Lee Hwa-mook was elected as the chairperson of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, and council member Lee Hye-young was elected as vice-chairperson.

Chairman Jo Young-hoon and council member Gil Ki-young were appointed as chairpersons of the Ethics Special Committee.

Chairperson Lee Hwa-mook said, “I first thank the council members for entrusting me with the important role of chairperson during this critical time. I will do my best to ensure a rational and thorough review for the approval of next year’s budget.”

Chairman Jo Young-hoon, who took on the role of Ethics Special Committee chairperson, expressed, “As the eldest member, I will take responsibility and fulfill my duties to ensure transparent and honest council activities in Jung-gu.”

Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, Chairman Jo Young-hoon said, “In this emergency situation caused by COVID-19, I ask both the executive branch and the council to faithfully carry out their duties to support small business owners and revitalize the local economy. Also, with the upcoming organizational restructuring next year, I request that sufficient opinions be gathered from staff and the council and that prior consultations be conducted to proceed with the process.”

At the 1st plenary session held on the 23rd, the following were processed: ▲ decision on the agenda schedule ▲ explanation of the 5th supplementary budget for 2020 ▲ explanation of the 2021 general and special account project budgets ▲ resolution on the formation of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee ▲ appointment of members to the Budget and Accounts Special Committee ▲ resolution on the formation of the Ethics Special Committee ▲ appointment of members to the Ethics Special Committee.