Most Autonomous Districts in Gwangju Exceed Standard Labor Cost Execution Rate

The Progressive Party Gwangju Local Assembly Members Group (led by Seo-gu Assemblyman Kim Tae-jin) announced on the 27th that, according to the 2023 local government financial analysis, among the five autonomous districts in Gwangju, four districts except Nam-gu, which received a 'Na' grade, were all rated between La and Ma grades.

The Progressive Party Gwangju Local Assembly Members Group stated, "The analysis is based on detailed indicators related to the soundness, efficiency, and planning of local financial management, considering the population and financial conditions of 69 autonomous districts nationwide," adding, "The fact that four districts received the lowest grade indicates a lack of efficiency and planning in financial management."

Meanwhile, in the 2023 standard personnel expenditure execution rate for the five Gwangju districts, except for Nam-gu at 99.4%, Gwangsan-gu was 111.6%, Dong-gu 109.7%, Seo-gu 105.6%, and Buk-gu 103.7%, all exceeding the standard.

The actual personnel expenditure excess amounts were ▲Gwangsan-gu 6.9 billion KRW ▲Dong-gu 3.1 billion KRW ▲Seo-gu 1 billion KRW, while Buk-gu had no actual excess since the 4.3 billion KRW excess included 5.03 billion KRW in items excluded from standard personnel costs. Nam-gu additionally secured 80 million KRW in grant tax incentives due to personnel cost reductions.

The Progressive Party Gwangju Local Assembly Members Group argued, "Since 2020, the average actual salary increase rate for public officials has been 1.7%, but the annual salary used to calculate the standard personnel cost has been frozen, making excess inevitable," and emphasized, "There is a need for institutional improvements to expand the scope of personnel costs and basic expenses in response to increasing administrative demands."

Regarding the one-year standard personnel costs for the five Gwangju districts this year, Buk-gu has the highest at 119 billion KRW, followed by Gwangsan-gu at 113.4 billion KRW, Seo-gu at 91.3 billion KRW, Nam-gu at 86.526 billion KRW, and Dong-gu at 66.3 billion KRW.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho bless4ya@asiae.co.kr