Gwangju Dong-gu, Improved Livelihoods Due to Population Influx and More

Park Hyeojeong, Gwangju Dong-gu Council Member, Reports on Final Inspection

Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, has been evaluated as managing its finances well.

On the 7th, Park Hyun-jung, a member of the Dong-gu Council in Gwangju Metropolitan City, shared her experience as the lead representative for the 2022 fiscal year settlement audit during a 5-minute speech at the 1st plenary session of the 301st regular meeting.

According to Councilor Park, over the past five years, Dong-gu's average revenue growth rate was 10%, and expenditures increased by 14% respectively. Total assets amounted to 851 billion KRW, an increase of about 61 billion KRW compared to the previous year.

The financial expenditure per resident was 4.39 million KRW, which is significantly higher compared to 2.5 to 3 million KRW per person in other districts within the region.

Councilor Park explained, "Until just a few years ago, Dong-gu was sometimes harshly evaluated for implementing somewhat disappointing welfare policies due to its outdated image, increasing population outflow, and even insufficient financial conditions."

However, she praised, "Looking at the trends in financial income and expenditure over the past five years, the changes in Dong-gu's development are clear, and with continuous population inflow, the image of Dong-gu as a better place to live and a place people want to visit is becoming firmly established."

While stating that "overall, the budget seems to have been well used for regional development," she also mentioned, "The considerable surplus remains a regret. I hope that through more meticulous budget management, the remaining funds can be fully utilized without leftover money."