Namwon-si, Jeonbuk has finalized the first supplementary budget for 2023, amounting to 82.7 billion KRW.
According to the city on the 27th, the confirmed budget for this supplementary budget increased by 82.7 billion KRW from the original budget of 1.0264 trillion KRW to a total of 1.1091 trillion KRW, with the general account increasing by 76.2 billion KRW to 1.0498 trillion KRW and the special account increasing by 6.5 billion KRW to 59.3 billion KRW.
The first supplementary budget proposed at the 257th extraordinary session totaled 103 billion KRW, focusing on the 8th term mayor’s campaign pledges and key projects.
However, the budget for the mayor’s campaign projects was drastically cut from 20.3 billion KRW to a final 8.27 billion KRW.
The cut projects include 7.6 billion KRW for drone and aviation industry budgets, 10 billion KRW for the construction of the Drone Leisure Sports Stadium related to preparations for hosting the Namwon FAI World Drone Racing Championship, 1.47 billion KRW for the basic plan and detailed design services related to the creation of a global art city, 120 million KRW for awards related to civil servant welfare, and 150 million KRW for the one-food promotion budget aimed at countering the aging trend and maximizing the value of agricultural products produced in Namwon.
The reduced budget affects future growth industries such as drone and aviation-related projects, budgets for developing Namwon as a future tourism and arts city, and funds intended to boost civil servants’ morale, making it inevitable that the full-scale implementation of the 8th term mayor’s agenda will face setbacks.
Major reflected budgets for the 8th term projects include ▲ 900 million KRW for establishing a future city design master plan ▲ 2 billion KRW for restoring and excavating the North Gate of Namwon Eupseong ▲ 12 billion KRW for purchasing private land within long-term unexecuted urban parks ▲ 2.5 billion KRW for the Yocheon integrated river maintenance project ▲ 5.9 billion KRW for constructing the Talent Academy.
Additionally, budgets were allocated for ▲ 1.4 billion KRW for the Software Future Filling Project ▲ 1.1 billion KRW for building a natural cosmetics testing and clinical center ▲ 200 million KRW for constructing the Namwon lacquer woodcraft exhibition hall ▲ 1.2 billion KRW for senior job support ▲ 500 million KRW for small business storefront environment improvement ▲ 1.1 billion KRW for drought countermeasure projects ▲ 1.5 billion KRW for basic and detailed design services for incineration facility installation ▲ 1 billion KRW for stabilizing agricultural tax-free fuel prices ▲ 800 million KRW for free transportation support for seniors ▲ 200 million KRW for emergency heating costs for low-income vulnerable elderly, among others.
Mayor Choi Kyung-sik stated, “This first supplementary budget was prepared to accelerate the implementation of the 8th term mayor’s campaign pledges, which are urgently needed for citizens’ lives and Namwon’s development leap, but it is regrettable that key major budgets were drastically cut, raising concerns about setbacks in fulfilling the pledges.”
He added, “Along with fostering Namwon’s future growth industries, we will do our best to revive the livelihood economy, which is struggling due to rising prices.”
Namwon = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jeong Young-gwon baekok@asiae.co.kr
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