Assemblyman Lee Byung-hoon Secures 2.9 Billion KRW Special Local Tax for Gwangju Dong and Nam Districts

16 Billion KRW for 3 Projects Including Dong-gu Youth Training Center and 1.3 Billion KRW for 4 Projects Including Nam-gu Civil Defense Education Center Renovation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Congressman Lee Byung-hoon (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Dong-gu Nam-gu Eul) announced on the 5th that he secured a total of 2.9 billion KRW in special grants from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for the second half of 2021, including 1.6 billion KRW for three projects in Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and 1.3 billion KRW for four projects in Nam-gu.

The secured special grants for Dong-gu are ▲1 billion KRW for facility improvements at the Dong-gu Youth Training Center ▲300 million KRW for repair and reinforcement of the road slopes around Kumho Villart ▲300 million KRW for maintenance of disaster-risk facilities around Neoritjae Tunnel.

For Nam-gu, the grants include ▲500 million KRW for repairs to the Nam-gu Civil Defense Education Center located in Gwangju Park ▲300 million KRW for the construction of the Bangnim 2-dong Senior Startup Center ▲200 million KRW for establishing a base platform for the Yangnim-dong Street Bookstore ▲300 million KRW for reinforcing traffic safety facilities in children protection zones including Baegun Elementary School.

The Dong-gu Youth Training Center was constructed with building materials that emit toxic gases in case of fire, making facility improvements necessary for fire preparedness and the safety of local residents and youth; however, budget shortages had made this difficult.

With the special grants secured, facility improvements are expected to begin in the first half of next year and be completed by October 2022.

The Nam-gu Civil Defense Education Center located in Gwangju Park also secured 500 million KRW in project funds, allowing for interior remodeling such as floors and walls, replacement of auditorium seats, improvements to heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, and restroom repairs. The educational environment for civil defense personnel in Nam-gu is expected to improve significantly.

Additionally, project funds of 200 million KRW and 300 million KRW were secured respectively for the Yangnim-dong Street Bookstore base platform and the Bangnim 2-dong Senior Startup Center projects, which are being promoted to create jobs and income for residents, enabling smooth project progress.

Furthermore, project funds were secured for the repair of road slopes around Kumho Villart, maintenance of disaster-risk facilities around Neoritjae Tunnel, and reinforcement of traffic safety facilities in children protection zones including Baegun Elementary School, which are expected to help prevent road safety accidents and create safe school routes for students.

Congressman Lee said, “This is the result of efforts to ensure that local residents can live comfortably without inconvenience in a more pleasant environment and that Dong-gu and Nam-gu become safer,” adding, “I will do my best to create a residential environment as good as other regions and advanced educational and cultural environments in Gwangju Dong-gu and Nam-gu.”