Yongsan-gu, 2023 Budget Allocation Priority Areas Resident Survey

[Seoul District News] Yongsan-gu Conducts Survey from July 1-31 with 12 Questions on Priority Investment Areas, Projects, and Suggestions Targeting 1,000 Residents Online and Offline... Yongsan-gu Mayor Park Hee-young Inspects Indoor Environment and Air Conditioning at Namyeong-dong Safety Shelter and Samgakji Senior Center on July 4 to Prepare for Heatwave

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Park Hee-young) is conducting the "2023 Budget Allocation Priority Resident Survey" until the 31st of this month.

This is to gather residents' opinions on the priority of budget allocation for the next year to refer to when drafting the next year's budget plan.

The district encourages more than 1,000 residents to participate in the survey to ensure reliability.

Residents who wish to participate can fill out the survey form available at nearby community service centers or use the survey participation section under Participation & Communication - Residents' Opinions on the district website.

A district official stated, "We want to understand the residents' preferred directions for budget allocation across the entire district administration," and added, "We hope for active participation from residents."

The survey consists of a total of 12 questions, investigating priority investment areas, priority investment projects by sector, and suggestions.

The priority investment areas are divided into 10 categories: General Administration, Education, Culture & Tourism, Environment, Social Welfare, Health & Medical Care, Local Economy, Road & Traffic, National Land & Regional Development, and Safety.

The final question allows residents to freely write suggestions for district development.

The district plans to analyze the survey results in August and disclose them on the district website. The results will also be actively reflected in next year's main budget.

Last year, a total of 1,006 residents participated in the survey, including 574 women (57%) and 432 men (43%). The priority investment areas were ranked as follows: ▲Social Welfare (14.6%) ▲Environmental Protection (13.7%) ▲Education (11.5%) ▲Health & Medical Care (11.0%) ▲Road & Traffic (10.4%) ▲Local Economy (9.8%) ▲Safety (9.2%) ▲General Administration (7.5%) ▲Culture & Tourism (6.6%) ▲National Land & Regional Development (5.6%).

The total district budget for 2022 was 575.89767 billion KRW, an increase of 14.59% compared to 2021. The district is operating an expansionary fiscal policy to respond to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 and to drive the local economy's recovery.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "With recent high oil prices and soaring inflation, the local economy is expected to face difficulties," adding, "We will actively reflect residents' opinions in next year's budget planning to bring about practical changes in daily life through district administration."

On the 4th, Park Hee-young, the mayor of Yongsan District, visited the Samgakji Senior Center and spoke with the elderly to inquire about any inconveniences.

Amid a heatwave warning issued across Seoul, Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, visited local heat relief shelters and senior centers on the 4th to check the heatwave response status.

Mayor Park first visited the nighttime shelter, Namyeong-dong Safety Shelter (New World Hotel), checked the condition inside the rooms with the facility manager, and urged careful attention to ensure no inconvenience during use.

He then visited the Samgakji Senior Center (38 Hangang-daero 38-gil), inspected the indoor environment, the proper operation of air conditioners, and the installation status of heat relief shelter signs, and inquired about the well-being of the elderly using the facility and listened to their difficulties.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "With the early heatwave causing numerous heat-related illnesses and even deaths, special attention to health management is necessary," adding, "Elderly people vulnerable to heat should refrain from outdoor activities as much as possible during the heatwave and make good use of shelters to safely get through this summer."

Meanwhile, the district plans to operate 110 heat relief shelters for the elderly until September and 98 shade tents installed at crosswalks and traffic islands with heavy pedestrian traffic until October to help residents avoid the heatwave.