Yongsan-gu Confirms 2022 Budget of 575.9 Billion Won... 14.59% Increase from Last Year

General Account 550.1 billion KRW, Special Account 25.8 billion KRW... 14.59% (73.3 billion KRW) increase compared to this year... Operation of Yongsan History Museum opening next March, Social Welfare 233.3 billion KRW, Others 127 billion KRW, General Public Administration 61.1 billion KRW in order

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) has finalized the 2022 main budget at 575.9 billion KRW (General Account 550.1 billion KRW, Special Account 25.8 billion KRW) in accordance with Article 127 of the Local Autonomy Act (Budget Preparation and Resolution).

This amount represents a 14.59% (73.3 billion KRW) increase compared to the previous year.

The general account budget is divided into 13 sectors: General Public Administration (61.1 billion KRW), Public Order and Safety (1.8 billion KRW), Education (8.3 billion KRW), Culture and Tourism (9.4 billion KRW), Environment (47.5 billion KRW), Social Welfare (233.3 billion KRW), Health (16.1 billion KRW), Agriculture, Forestry, Marine and Fisheries (0.3 billion KRW), Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises and Energy (8.0 billion KRW), Transportation and Logistics (13.1 billion KRW), Land and Regional Development (9.8 billion KRW), Reserve Funds (14.4 billion KRW), and Others (127.0 billion KRW).

Key policy projects in General Public Administration include fair election management (1.7 billion KRW), strengthening the foundation of resident autonomy (27.4 billion KRW), and enhancing district administrative informatization capabilities (7.7 billion KRW). Administrative efforts will focus on the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections, autonomous administration management, and the establishment of a smart city infrastructure.

Cultural and tourism policy projects draw attention with initiatives such as establishing a historical and cultural foundation (1.2 billion KRW) and fostering and supporting community sports (4.9 billion KRW). In particular, the district is making thorough preparations for the operation of the Yongsan History Museum, which is scheduled to open in March next year. Support for residents' sports activities will also be emphasized.

Major policy projects in the environment sector include wastewater treatment facilities and water quality and sewer management (13.1 billion KRW), and improving local environmental standards (34.3 billion KRW). Through restructuring the collection and transportation system of household waste, resident-led cleaning, and crackdowns on illegal dumping, Yongsan-gu aims to become the cleanest district in Seoul.

The social welfare sector, which accounts for the largest portion of the district’s budget, is divided into six areas: basic living security (51.8 billion KRW), support for vulnerable groups (24.5 billion KRW), childcare, family and women (71.3 billion KRW), elderly and youth (79.9 billion KRW), labor (3.6 billion KRW), and veterans (2.2 billion KRW).

Especially, to promote employment, which can be called the "primary welfare," the district implements tailored policies for youth, middle-aged, and women, and operates Job Plus Centers, job fairs, youth startup support centers, and comprehensive support centers for workers.

The health sector is divided into two parts: health and medical care (15.6 billion KRW) and food and drug safety (0.5 billion KRW). Continuous funding will be invested in COVID-19 response, operation of dementia relief centers, and management of chronic disease patients.

In the industry and small and medium enterprises sector, the district will also carry out industrial financial support projects (6.0 billion KRW). Notably, 5.0 billion KRW has been allocated for discount subsidies on Yongsan Love Gift Certificates. To revitalize the local economy, which has been depressed due to COVID-19, gift certificates worth 50 billion KRW will be issued in two halves of the year.

Additionally, the district plans to contribute to urban environment improvement through projects such as road facility management (11.5 billion KRW), transportation administration improvement (1.6 billion KRW), and strengthening park and green space infrastructure (7.1 billion KRW).

Other special account budgets will be used for projects such as medical benefits, parking lot expansion, and operation of the Building Safety Center.

The district established the 2022 budget plan in August, followed by the preparation of revenue and expenditure budget requests, budget review and adjustment, and budget proposal review by the district council.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, stated, “The 2022 budget focuses on laying the irreversible foundation for Yongsan’s leap forward, considering the conclusion of the 7th elected term and the launch of the 8th. We will lead the recovery of residents’ daily lives through successful quarantine measures and proactively respond to the post-COVID-19 era.”