Yisang-il, Mayor of Yongin, Donates 1 Million Won to 'Hometown Love Donation Fund'

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin City, is taking a commemorative photo after donating 1 million won as a hometown love donation to Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do, his hometown, on the 1st. Photo by Yongin City

[Asia Economy (Yongin) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] On the 1st, Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin City, personally donated 1 million won as a hometown love donation to his hometown, Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do.

The Hometown Love Donation System allows donations to local governments other than the donor's registered address. The local governments receiving the donations use the funds to support vulnerable groups, protect youth, and promote culture and the arts for residents. This system has been in effect since January of this year.

Tax credit benefits are provided for donations. Donations up to 100,000 won are fully deductible. For amounts exceeding 100,000 won, a 16.5% tax credit is applied to the excess.

The local government receiving the donation provides local specialty products as return gifts within 30% of the donation amount. Donors may decline the return gifts.

Mayor Lee Sang-il stated that he declined the return gifts, expressing that he only wishes to receive the heart of his hometown, before making the donation.

Yongin City's hometown love donation return gifts include Baekok rice, Yongin soban gift sets, and Joa-yong tumblers, eco-bags, and pouches. The city plans to expand the range of return gifts to encourage participation in the hometown love donation system.

Citizens wishing to donate to Yongin can use the Hometown Love e-um website (ilovegohyang.go.kr) or visit an NH Nonghyup Bank branch to make their donation.

Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "The Hometown Love Donation System is designed to help local governments such as hometowns, and the more citizens participate, the greater the support for revitalizing the local economy and assisting vulnerable groups. I made this donation to my hometown hoping that the purpose of the Hometown Love Donation System will be widely known and many citizens will participate."