[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is finalizing its organizational restructuring, including the establishment of the Future Growth Industry Bureau, ahead of the Year of the Rabbit 2023, and is gearing up to actively implement key policies of the 8th local government term aimed at creating a 'City of Opportunities, Gyeonggi Province.'
A pilot project providing an annual opportunity income of 1.2 million KRW to artists will be implemented in 28 cities and counties. Additionally, a monthly opportunity allowance of 160,000 KRW will be paid to persons with disabilities aged 15 and over who are undergoing training at vocational rehabilitation facilities for the disabled.
To provide non-discriminatory childcare opportunities for foreigners, a monthly childcare fee of 100,000 KRW will be supported for foreign children. The requirement for citizen petitions will be relaxed from the existing 50,000 to 10,000 signatures, and responses will be made directly by the governor. Let’s take a look at the major administrative systems and policies of Gyeonggi Province that will change starting next year.
▲ Gyeonggi Province Organizational Restructuring
Gyeonggi Province recently carried out an organizational restructuring to realize the three major visions of the 8th local government term: 'More Opportunities, More Equitable Opportunities, Better Opportunities.' The newly reorganized structure focuses on discovering future growth industries and opportunity packages.
A new 'Future Growth Industry Bureau' was established to be responsible for fostering advanced industries and supporting corporate innovation growth, with departments such as Digital Innovation, Semiconductor Industry, Advanced Mobility Industry, and Bio Industry under its jurisdiction. To enhance climate crisis responsiveness and strengthen industrial competitiveness through carbon neutrality, the Environment Bureau was reorganized into the 'Climate Environment Energy Bureau.'
New departments were also created, including the Baby Boomer Opportunity Division to provide better opportunities for the baby boomer generation, the Companion Animal Division to promote advanced animal welfare policies, and the 'Urban Regeneration Promotion Team' for the regeneration of first- and second-phase aging new towns and old downtown areas. Dedicated organizations such as the 'Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province Promotion Team' and the 'Gyeonggi International Airport Promotion Team' were newly launched to advance Governor Kim Dong-yeon's key pledges.
▲ Relaxation of Gyeonggi Citizen Petition Requirements
To encourage free participation and opinion gathering from residents on major policies and issues, the requirement for establishing a citizen petition will be significantly relaxed from 50,000 signatures within 30 days to 10,000 signatures. Furthermore, the respondent will be changed from the existing heads of departments or bureaus to the governor directly, strengthening accountability for petitions.
▲ Expansion and Reorganization of the Gyeonggi DdokD Service
The 'Gyeonggi DdokD' app, which provides welfare information and electronic certificates using public MyData, will expand its services. In addition to welfare information (about 1,300 types) and civil servant recruitment information, general recruitment, education, and cultural and festival information will also be included. The issuance of electronic certificates such as family relation certificates will increase from the current 66 types to 90 types. Additionally, the usage locations for the resident card will be gradually expanded from the current 53 places to all public facilities within the province.
▲ Operation of the Hometown Love Donation System
Starting January 2023, individuals can donate up to 5 million KRW annually to local governments other than their residence and receive return gifts and tax credit benefits under the Hometown Love Donation System. Applications can be made via the Hometown Love e-um website or by visiting any National Agricultural Cooperative Federation branch nationwide. Donors can receive return gifts (within 30% of the donation amount) and tax credits (full amount for donations under 100,000 KRW, and 16.5% for the amount exceeding 100,000 KRW). Gyeonggi Province plans to use the donations for welfare projects such as supporting vulnerable groups.
▲ Expansion of Eligibility for Gyeonggi Disabled Nuri Account
The eligibility for the Gyeonggi Nuri Account, which supports severely disabled persons aged 19, will be expanded from age 19 to ages 19 to 21 (based on the end of the year). The Gyeonggi Nuri Account is designed to provide asset-building opportunities for severely disabled persons aged 19 to 21 who have difficulty finding employment. If a severely disabled person saves 100,000 KRW per month, Gyeonggi Province will match it with 100,000 KRW. After a maximum of 24 months of deposits, the principal and interest can total up to 5 million KRW.
▲ Opportunity Allowance Support for Disabled Trainees at Vocational Rehabilitation Facilities
To improve the treatment and support the independence of disabled trainees at vocational rehabilitation facilities in the province, an opportunity allowance will be paid to disabled trainees aged 15 and over. The allowance targets disabled persons who have received vocational training for at least one month and four hours per day. The allowance is 160,000 KRW per person per month.
▲ Expansion of Elderly Depression Treatment Support
To facilitate early detection of mental illnesses in the elderly and prevent severe and chronic conditions, support for elderly depression treatment will be expanded by removing income restrictions previously set at 120% of the median income and increasing the maximum annual support amount from 200,000 KRW to 360,000 KRW per person. Applicants or their guardians can inquire at city/county mental health welfare centers or suicide prevention centers.
▲ Expansion of Universal Support for Menstrual Products for Female Adolescents in Gyeonggi Province
The number of cities and counties participating in the universal support for menstrual products for female adolescents will increase from 20 to 22. Female adolescents aged 11 to 18 residing in the 22 participating cities and counties can receive 13,000 KRW per month in local currency to purchase menstrual products. Participating cities and counties include Ansan, Pyeongtaek, Siheung, Gimpo, Uijeongbu, Gwangju, Hanam, Gunpo, Yangju, Icheon, Guri, Anseong, Pocheon, Yangpyeong, Yeoju, Dongducheon, Gwacheon, Gapyeong, Yeoncheon, Hwaseong, Gwangmyeong, and Uiwang.
▲ Parent Allowance Support
Starting with births this year, the infant allowance, which provided 300,000 KRW per month to infants aged 0 to 23 months not attending daycare centers, has been changed to a parent allowance with expanded benefits. Parents raising infants aged 0 to 11 months not attending daycare centers will receive 700,000 KRW per month. For those using daycare centers, cash support will be provided for the difference after voucher payments. Parents raising infants aged 12 to 23 months not attending daycare centers will receive 350,000 KRW per month.
▲ Childcare Support for Foreign Children
Gyeonggi Province supports childcare fees for foreign children to provide non-discriminatory childcare opportunities. The support targets children aged 0 to 5 attending daycare centers in the province. The support amount is 100,000 KRW per month, paid via electronic vouchers (National Happiness Card).
▲ Increase in Emergency Welfare Livelihood Support Funds
To stabilize the lives of low-income households facing difficulties in maintaining their livelihood due to crisis situations, emergency welfare livelihood support funds will be increased. For single-person households, the amount will rise by 39,900 KRW from 583,400 KRW to 623,300 KRW, and for four-person households, it will increase by 83,900 KRW from 1,536,300 KRW to 1,620,200 KRW.
▲ Support for Product Liability Insurance Premiums for Small and Medium Enterprises
To compensate for manufacturers' liability arising from accidents caused by product quality or defects, support for product liability insurance premiums will be provided. Up to 500 small and medium enterprises in the province will receive support of up to 1 million KRW per company (within 20% of the insurance premium).
▲ Support Linked to R&D for Root Companies' Technological Innovation
Support projects will be promoted for 'root companies' engaged in casting, mold, welding, and other process technologies for new product development, quality enhancement, and carbon neutrality. The province will support up to 90 million KRW per company to link customized research and development (R&D) for carbon-neutral smart factories and new business creation.
▲ Support for Rental Fees of Dormitories for SME Workers
To provide residential facilities and improve working convenience for SME workers, up to 80% of the monthly rental fees for dormitories will be supported. The target is small and medium manufacturing enterprises located in Gyeonggi Province. The support limit is up to five workers per company, with a monthly limit of 300,000 KRW per person, for up to 10 months per year.
▲ Introduction of Delivery Price Linkage System
A delivery price linkage system will be introduced, mandating that the contract issued by the consignor company include provisions on delivery price linkage. If the price of major raw materials, which account for 10% or more of the delivery price, fluctuates beyond a ratio agreed upon by the consignor and consignee companies within 10%, the delivery price must be adjusted accordingly. Violations will incur fines of up to 50 million KRW. However, if the consignor company is a small business, the delivery price is under 100 million KRW, the contract period is within 90 days, or both parties agree not to link delivery prices, the linkage clause may be omitted from the contract.
▲ Expansion of Early Vehicle Retirement Subsidy Eligibility
The early retirement subsidy, previously provided for diesel vehicles meeting emission standards before 2005 (Grade 5 emission diesel vehicles), will be expanded to include diesel vehicles manufactured before August 31, 2009 (Grade 4 and 5 emission diesel vehicles). Additionally, non-road type 2 construction machinery such as forklifts and excavators manufactured before 2004 will also be eligible.
▲ Ban on New Registration of Diesel-Powered Children's School Vehicles
To protect children's health and reduce fine dust, new registrations of diesel-powered children's school vehicles will be prohibited starting April next year. Meanwhile, the province will support 7 million KRW per vehicle within the budget for purchasing new LPG school vehicles.
▲ Gyeonggi Province Artist Opportunity Income Pilot Project
Gyeonggi Province will provide an annual opportunity income of 1.2 million KRW to artists who create social value through artistic creation but cannot earn income in the market. The target cities and counties are 28 within the province, excluding Suwon, Yongin, and Seongnam. Eligible recipients are those residing in Gyeonggi Province with valid artist activity certification and personal income below 120% of the median income. The pilot project will be implemented in the second half of next year.
▲ Expansion of Gyeonggi Province Sports Class Use Voucher Support
The sports class use voucher, currently providing 85,000 KRW per month for 10 months annually to low-income children and youth aged 5 to 18 and registered disabled persons aged 19 to 64, will be expanded to 95,000 KRW per month for 12 months annually.
Additionally, for seniors aged 70 and over and persons with disabilities in the province, 75% of the home game admission fees for 12 professional sports teams based in the province will be supported. Supported sports include soccer, baseball, basketball, and volleyball. One accompanying guardian is also included.
▲ Expansion of Temporary Firefighting Facilities at Construction Sites
To prevent accidents at construction sites, the types of temporary firefighting facilities to be installed will be expanded from four types?fire extinguishers, simple fire extinguishing devices, emergency alarm devices, and simple evacuation guidance lines?to seven types, including gas leak detectors, fire hoses, and emergency lighting. The law will be applied starting July next year.
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