82 Cases in 6 Areas Including Resident Life and Administration
[Asia Economy Reporter La Youngcheol] The policy changes in Gangwon Province for 2023, the inaugural year of the Special Self-Governing Province, include 82 items across six key areas closely related to residents' daily lives, such as the expansion of basic childcare allowances, implementation of half-price agricultural materials support, expansion of small business management stabilization funds, and increase of Gangwon Province veterans' allowances.
Key contents in the residents' life and administration sector aim to enhance residents' understanding of the Special Self-Governing Province and help local youth focus on their studies and job preparation by expanding support for university tuition and scholarships as well as interest support for student loans.
In the employment and economy sector, to revitalize the Gangwon economy, which has been stagnant since the COVID-19 pandemic, the small business management stabilization fund was increased from the existing 120 billion KRW to 200 billion KRW. Support for small and medium-sized enterprise development funds has been expanded, and initiatives include operating a 'Startup-Centered University' to foster startups within the province and providing emergency management stabilization funds for social economy enterprises. The youth 'Didimdol Double Savings' supports economic independence and settlement of working youth in the province.
In the health and welfare sector, the veterans' allowance provided to war veterans and major national veterans was raised from 30,000 KRW to 60,000 KRW. The basic childcare allowance, previously supported up to age 4, will be expanded annually up to age 8 in connection with the 'Parent Allowance.' Plans also include launching a childcare support resident secretary (tentative name) and expanding the scope of the emergency maternity safe stay to reduce the childcare burden for residents during infancy and early childhood.
In the safety and firefighting sector, for pregnant women in delivery-vulnerable areas without obstetrics and gynecology clinics, the medical safety net will be strengthened through customized 119 emergency services, including hospital reservation transport and 24-hour emergency consultation by specialists. Firefighting policies will be separated into fire safety performance standards and fire safety technical standards to make them easier for the general public to understand.
In the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sector, support includes half-price agricultural materials, expanded support for purchasing tax-exempt agricultural diesel, and accommodation support for foreign seasonal agricultural workers. Additional initiatives include support for vaccines preventing consumptive diseases in pigs, expanded support for improving hygiene facilities in livestock product processing plants, and the establishment of a fisheries public interest direct payment system for small-scale fishing households and crew members.
In the environment and energy sector, the '2023 Gangwon World Forest Expo' will showcase the province’s forest environment excellence, with 82% forest coverage, to the world and create new growth engines. Efforts to build an eco-friendly system free of greenhouse gases and fine dust will be strengthened through support for installing emission reduction devices on gas heat pumps (GHP), expanding early retirement support for old diesel vehicles, and expanding eco-friendly vehicle distribution projects.
The province plans to produce and distribute a booklet containing these details and also post the information on the provincial website.
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