Governor Kim Dong-yeon: "People's Livelihood Comes First... Requesting Provincial Council to Expedite Supplementary Budget Approval"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, urged the Gyeonggi Provincial Council to promptly approve the supplementary budget, emphasizing that people's livelihood comes first. However, the Gyeonggi Provincial Council has been at a standstill since its opening earlier this month due to conflicts over the election of the council chairman.

On the 25th, Governor Kim posted on Facebook titled "People's Livelihood Comes First," explaining, "Last Thursday, I urgently submitted the supplementary budget proposal to the Provincial Council. Initially, it was scheduled to be submitted on July 12, when the council's organization was to be completed, but it was postponed due to delays in the organization."

He added, "The reason for the urgent submission of the supplementary budget is to stably implement the 'Comprehensive Plan for Emergency Economic Response and Livelihood Stabilization,' which was approved immediately upon my inauguration. The supplementary budget includes urgent project funds aimed at stabilizing people's livelihoods, such as credit recovery and stable management support for small business owners, price stabilization for consumers and households, price stabilization for agriculture, fisheries, and livestock products, and strengthening the competitiveness of export companies."

However, he expressed concern, saying, "Due to the delay in the supplementary budget formulation, not only the emergency economic response but also national and provincial financial support for vulnerable groups is being delayed. Amid growing livelihood instability, there is particular concern about irreversible severe damage to vulnerable groups."

Furthermore, he stated, "In the face of a complex economic crisis, the reality is that local governments have limited options, but if there is anything that can be done for the lives of Gyeonggi residents, the province and the Provincial Council must join hands and proceed swiftly. I hope that the 11th Gyeonggi Provincial Council will normalize as soon as possible and promptly review the supplementary budget proposal."