Gokseong-gun Hustles to Secure National Funding for 2022

Visited National Assembly Standing Committee and Budget Committee to Emphasize the Necessity of Local Issue Projects

[Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-sun] Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Yu Geun-gi) announced on the 28th that it is making efforts to secure national funding by visiting the National Assembly on the 26th to explain the necessity and implementation plans of local pending projects.

Governor Yu Geun-gi of Gokseong-gun and staff first met with National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee members Jang Cheol-min and Yoon Joon-byung. At this meeting, Governor Yu requested an increase in the budget for national subsidy projects in the sewage sector, including the Jukgok Public Sewage Treatment Plant installation project (total project cost 12.1 billion KRW).

They also met with National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee members Park Sung-min and Jo Oh-seop, requesting that the budget for the Seomjingang Donghwa Garden (Cultural and Arts Belt) project (total project cost 9.3 billion KRW) be reflected in next year’s government budget. In particular, they emphasized the importance of securing national funding by explaining the ripple effects the project will have on local residents and the tourism industry.

Next, they met with Budget and Accounts Committee members Kwon Myung-ho and Hwang Bo-seung-hee to explain the necessity and implementation plans of local pending projects. Hwang Bo-seung-hee has previously formed a partnership with Gokseong-gun and Honam. Gokseong-gun officials actively requested support to ensure that local pending projects are reflected in the government budget. Additionally, they visited the offices of Seo Dong-yong, a local district lawmaker, Moon Jeong-bok, a member of both the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and the Budget and Accounts Committee, and Heo Young to explain the justification for the national subsidy projects.

Gokseong-gun expects that since the standing committee members they visited also serve on the Budget and Accounts Committee, they will be able to effectively convey the necessity of local pending projects. Accordingly, they made a proactive visit at the time when budget review begins after the conclusion of the national audit.

Governor Yu Geun-gi stated, “It is limited to revitalize the depressed local economy and improve residents’ living conditions with only the poor finances of local governments. As the importance of national subsidy projects increases, we will do our best to secure national funding.”

Following the visit to the National Assembly, Gokseong-gun officials visited the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 27th to request that local pending projects be maximally reflected to prevent safety accidents and resolve residents’ inconveniences.

Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-sun cha6960@asiae.co.kr