Park Junghyun, Mayor of Buyeo County: "The Government Should Take Responsibility for Funding Village and Community Leader Allowances"

At the Chungnam Mayors and Governors Council, "It Is Harsh for Financially Struggling Local Governments to Bear the Burden"

Park Junghyun Buyeo County Governor

Park Junghyun, the governor of Buyeo County in South Chungcheong Province, requested national and provincial funding support for compensation payments to Lee-Tongjangs at the Chungnam Mayors and Governors Council held at Asan City Hall on the 16th.

Governor Park stated, "Although the basic allowance for Lee-Tongjangs was raised from 300,000 won to 400,000 won last November, this has resulted in an increased financial burden of 600 million won."

He added, "While I fully agree with the need to improve the treatment and provide realistic compensation for Lee-Tongjangs, it is harsh to place the entire responsibility on local governments that are already facing a financial crisis due to reduced revenues and fiscal tightening."

He further pointed out, "Although local governments are bearing the full cost of compensation for Lee-Tongjangs' activities, the central government has taken credit for the two increases in 2019 and 2023."

He emphasized, "Since the increase in compensation was mandated unilaterally by the central government, it is only right that the government takes responsibility for the required funding."

Meanwhile, the basic allowance for Lee-Tongjangs was increased from 100,000 won to 200,000 won in 2004, then to 300,000 won in 2019 after 15 years, and most recently to 400,000 won in 2023.