Kim Gwang-yeol, Yeongdeok County Governor, Visits Ministry of Economy and Finance for 'Vital National Budget Securing'

Government Commits to Sound Fiscal Policy and Swift Advancement of Key Regional Projects

Kim Kwang-yeol, the head of Yeongdeok County, and key department executives met with budget review officers at the Budget Office of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Sejong City on the 17th to request the inclusion of national budget allocations for major projects being promoted by the county.

County Governor Kim Kwang-yeol and department executives are meeting with budget review officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance to explain Yeongdeok County's major projects.

The main issues requested by Kim to the Ministry of Economy and Finance include ▲ the establishment of a deep-sea marine bio bank (27.2 billion KRW) ▲ creation of a whale sea shelter (18 billion KRW) ▲ coastal maintenance project from Baekseok to Goraebul district (28 billion KRW) ▲ small-scale sewage treatment facilities (Yeonghae and Byeonggok) classified treatment project (4 billion KRW), among others.

Earlier, in September, Yeongdeok County formed a national fund expedition team consisting of Kim and responsible staff members to visit the National Assembly, where they persuaded local district lawmaker Kim Hee-guk and government officials to secure national funding.

The relentless efforts of Yeongdeok County to visit the National Assembly and government offices daily are interpreted as a self-help measure to promote regional development through strategic new national project formation amid fierce competition among local governments for national funds due to the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s fiscal austerity.

County head Kim Kwang-yeol stated, “Even if the government inevitably pursues sound fiscal management, it is a natural duty for local governments to devote all efforts to securing national funds for future growth engines for the residents.” He emphasized, “Together with the staff, we will spare no effort in every step of the process?from central government budget proposals, Ministry of Economy and Finance budget reviews, to National Assembly budget deliberations?to ensure that projects for revitalizing the local economy and ensuring residents’ safety can be promptly implemented under any conditions.”