2024 Budget Increases by 1.3% from Previous Year... Focus on Revitalizing Livelihood Economy, Resident Safety Management, and Supporting the Vulnerable
The Seocho District Council (Chairman Oh Se-cheol) finalized the 2024 budget amounting to 863.8 billion KRW at the 4th plenary session on the 13th, concluding the 29-day schedule of the 330th 2nd regular session.
Starting with the 1st plenary session on November 15, the council carried out a detailed schedule including the 2023 administrative audit, district government inquiries, and the review of the 2024 general and special account revenue and expenditure budget proposals.
In particular, during the 2024 budget review, council members conducted on-site visits to assess project conditions and engaged in in-depth questioning and requests for supplementation regarding detailed project plans and budget validity.
As a result of the review, ▲an increase of 510 million KRW was made for national veterans’ honor allowances and others, ▲a total reduction of 5.23 billion KRW was made for projects including the creation of a book culture street and the establishment of an interactive artificial intelligence model, and the cut expenditure budget balance of approximately 4.72 billion KRW was reflected in the general contingency fund and disaster and calamity contingency fund.
The approved budget includes various projects for vulnerable groups such as ▲revitalization of local economies through activation of alleyway commercial districts like Yangjaecheon-gil, Bangbae Cafe Alley, and Jamwon-dong Soy Sauce Crab Alley, ▲public safety management projects including installation of heating wires on side roads, additional installation of intelligent CCTVs to prevent indiscriminate crimes, and undergrounding of school routes for Yangjae Elementary and Sinbanpo Middle Schools, ▲support for longevity congratulatory payments, increase in veterans’ honor allowances, and operation of disability-friendly beauty salons.
Kang Yeo-jeong, Chairperson of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, stated, “In this budget review, through selection and concentration, unnecessary budgets were boldly cut, and the necessary budgets for revitalizing the local economy and creating a safe environment were meticulously reviewed to be allocated appropriately.”
During the plenary session, 5-minute free speeches were also delivered by council members Lee Eun-kyung, Ha Seo-young, and Yoo Ji-woong. First, Councilor Lee Eun-kyung urged attention to 'family care youth'?children, adolescents, or young adults who support their families at a young age by caring for family members with illness, disability, mental health, or alcohol/drug dependency issues. She emphasized the need to discover these hidden family care youth and prepare tailored support policies through accurate surveys addressing livelihood, medical care, education and employment, and psychological counseling.
Next, Councilor Ha Seo-young introduced the 1st Green Convergence Cluster Basic Plan announced by the Ministry of Environment in June, noting that the resource circulation and AI·ICT sectors, one of the promising new cluster fields, align with policies currently promoted by Seocho District. Councilor Ha proposed that Seocho District positively consider establishing an environmental AI·ICT cluster that integrates green industry and AI·ICT technology infrastructure in line with the government’s vision.
Lastly, Councilor Yoo Ji-woong pointed out that while funeral culture is rapidly changing towards cremation and enshrinement, using private memorial parks?which require a large lump sum payment of 50 to 150 million KRW plus management fees?poses a significant financial burden on residents.
Accordingly, Councilor Yoo urged securing funeral facilities for Seocho residents through business agreements with funeral facilities in nearby metropolitan areas.
Additionally, the plenary session adopted the 2023 administrative audit report and passed 11 ordinances. The approved ordinances include ▲the complete revision of the Seoul Special City Seocho District Ordinance on Innovation Education Operation and Support, ▲partial amendment of the Seoul Special City Seocho District Sports Promotion Ordinance, ▲consent for private consignment of Banpo Comprehensive Sports Complex Inline Skate Rink, ▲partial amendment of the Seoul Special City Seocho District Medical Benefits Fund Special Account Establishment and Operation Ordinance, ▲partial amendment of the Seoul Special City Seocho District Ordinance on Support for National Health Insurance Premiums for Low-Income Vulnerable Groups, ▲Seoul Special City Seocho District Ordinance on Public Funeral Support, ▲partial amendment of the Seoul Special City Seocho District Basic Ordinance for Senior Welfare Promotion and Age-Friendly City Creation, ▲consent for the 2024 Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation contribution, ▲partial amendment of the Seoul Special City Seocho District Groundwater Ordinance, ▲complete revision of the Seoul Special City Seocho District Tax Reduction and Exemption Ordinance, and ▲the district council’s opinion hearing (proposal) for the cancellation of the Bangbae Imkwang 1st and 2nd Apartment Maintenance District.
Meanwhile, having concluded the 2023 meeting schedule, the council plans to start the 2024 schedule by holding the 331st extraordinary session on January 16.
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