Dongdaemun-gu, 2022 Budget Confirmed at 736 Billion Won

General Account Budgeted at 720 Billion KRW, Special Account at 16 Billion KRW... Disaster Management Fund and Other Funds Operated Separately with 65.5 Billion KRW... Focused Budgeting on Economic Revitalization for Gradual Daily Recovery, Strengthening Welfare Safety Nets, Improving Educational Conditions, and Restoring Cultural Activities

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) announced that the 2022 budget plan totaling 736 billion KRW, including 720 billion KRW in the general account and 16 billion KRW in the special account, has been finalized after going through the Dongdaemun-gu Council’s review process.

This represents a 7.35% increase compared to this year’s original budget of 685.6 billion KRW.

Due to the expanded operation of disaster management funds for COVID-19 response, small and medium enterprise development funds, and the operation of integrated financial stabilization funds for stable district finances, the funds were finalized at 65.5 billion KRW, a 61.34% increase from the previous year.

The Dongdaemun-gu Council reviewed the budget proposal submitted by the executive branch through three standing committees: the Operations Committee, the Administrative Planning Committee, and the Welfare and Construction Committee, before submitting it to the Budget and Accounts Special Committee.

The Budget and Accounts Special Committee of the council reduced the expenditure budget by 3.93965 billion KRW in the general account and 17.14 million KRW in the special account, and cut 80 million KRW from the fund operation plan. The adjusted budget was then submitted to the plenary session and approved as proposed by the Budget and Accounts Special Committee during the 309th regular session plenary meeting on the afternoon of the 21st.

The district plans to operate the finalized budget focusing on the faithful implementation of projects for regional development and residents’ livelihood stabilization, including support for small business owners and self-employed individuals and recovery from damages in response to the ‘gradual return to normal life’ era related to COVID-19, revitalization of the local economy through employment reinforcement, tailored welfare services to address low birthrate and aging population issues, and improvement of educational conditions.

◇ COVID-19 Response Budget and Regional Economic Revitalization

The district allocated 1 billion KRW for COVID-19 medical support personnel, operation of screening clinics, and COVID-19 quarantine measures. Additionally, a separate disaster management fund of 5.1 billion KRW was operated for prevention and rapid response to various disasters including COVID-19, and 5.7 billion KRW was allocated to support additional COVID-19 vaccinations.

To revitalize the local economy, which has been depressed due to COVID-19, the district allocated budgets as follows: 3.1 billion KRW for citizen safety jobs and local quarantine jobs, 400 million KRW for supporting job-seeking activities of unemployed youth, 200 million KRW for youth-led local job projects, 1.2 billion KRW for revitalizing traditional markets and Seoul Yakryeong Market, 300 million KRW for issuing 15 billion KRW worth of Dongdaemun Love gift certificates, 2 billion KRW for the Jegi-dong Godeaemap Village, and 800 million KRW for alleyway regeneration projects including Huigyeong Village.

In addition, a separate small and medium enterprise development fund of 11.6 billion KRW will be operated to support small business owners who suffered the most from COVID-19.

◇ Strengthening Welfare Services such as Childcare and Childbirth… Welfare Sector Accounts for 54.9% of Total Budget

The district allocated 395.8 billion KRW for welfare next year, an increase of 34 billion KRW compared to this year, accounting for 54.9% of the total budget. Detailed allocations include 127.2 billion KRW for senior citizen basic pensions, 82.1 billion KRW for basic living recipients’ livelihood and housing benefits, 31.8 billion KRW for infant childcare fee support projects, 16.8 billion KRW for child allowances, 9.3 billion KRW for senior citizen job projects, and 18.1 billion KRW for disability activity support and pension benefit projects. To overcome the low birthrate issue, new budgets of 3.4 billion KRW for first meeting use vouchers and 3.3 billion KRW for infant allowances, as well as 4.1 billion KRW for COVID-19 damage livelihood support, were allocated to build a stronger welfare safety net.

◇ Fostering Creative Talents and Enhancing Educational Environment

To nurture creative and convergent future talents who will lead the changing era and to strengthen the educational environment, the district allocated 15.7 billion KRW, an increase of 1.6 billion KRW from this year.

In 2022, to guarantee equal educational opportunities without anyone being left behind, 410 million KRW was allocated for entrance preparation support projects, which will cover costs such as school uniforms and smart devices for online learning for elementary, middle, and high school students. Furthermore, to foster future talents suitable for the 4th industrial revolution era, 8 billion KRW was allocated for education expense subsidies for elementary, middle, and high schools, an increase of 900 million KRW from the previous year, supporting academic achievement and improving educational facilities for local students.

Other allocations include 300 million KRW for free high school education burden, 5.3 billion KRW for school meal support expanded to kindergartens, and 500 million KRW for promoting the Seoul-type innovative education district.

◇ Creating a Safe and Clean Living Environment for Residents

Budgets will also be invested in living safety and environmental sectors to improve residents’ quality of life and safety. These include 2.3 billion KRW for sewage facility maintenance and management, 1.6 billion KRW for sewer and rainwater drain dredging, 1.7 billion KRW for river facility maintenance such as Jungnangcheon, 1.7 billion KRW for park maintenance, 2 billion KRW for natural ecological restoration and green corridor creation, 3.3 billion KRW for streetlight and security light maintenance, management, and upgrades, and 1.3 billion KRW for operating the CCTV integrated control center.

To create a pollution-free living environment, 900 million KRW will be invested in environmental conservation campaigns, promotion of green energy practices, and activation of renewable energy supply (support for solar panel installation) projects.

Additionally, to ensure residents can live in a more pleasant and safe environment, budgets were carefully allocated as follows: 45 billion KRW for waste and recyclable material processing and local cleaning, 300 million KRW for installing heated and cooling seats at bus stops, 30 million KRW for residents’ life safety insurance, and 150 million KRW for bicycle insurance enrollment.

◇ Revitalizing Cultural and Sports Activities to Restore Residents’ Daily Activities

To restore residents’ cultural life, which has been suppressed due to COVID-19, the district allocated 1.2 billion KRW for events such as the Dongdaemun Spring Flower Festival, 1 billion KRW for the creation of libraries in Gamcho Village and Yongdu 5 District, 2.5 billion KRW for library operation and support, and 700 million KRW for management and operation of public sports facilities including Dongdaemun-gu Gymnasium. Furthermore, 3.9 billion KRW was allocated to build a new concept complex administrative building in Imun 2-dong, where the community center is over 30 years old, aiming to improve the quality of resident services.

Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol of Dongdaemun-gu stated, “While thoroughly implementing COVID-19 quarantine measures, we plan to lead district administration by preparing thoroughly for the post-COVID era, including the gradual return to normal life. The 2022 budget was carefully reviewed and allocated for essential projects to revitalize the local economy, establish welfare and safety nets for residents, and restore cultural life. We will do our best to properly use the allocated budget to make Dongdaemun-gu a place where residents want to live.”