Citizen-Centered Policies Focused on Welfare, Industry, and Cultural Investment
Preparation for the 2028 Ulsan Garden Expo Progressing Smoothly
Ulsan City has prepared a ‘2025 Main Budget (Draft)’ totaling 5.1578 trillion KRW and will submit it to the City Council on the 11th.
The 2025 Main Budget (Draft) represents an increase of 364.5 billion KRW (7.6%) compared to the 4.7933 trillion KRW budget of 2024, reflecting increases in national subsidies, general grants, and improvements in local tax revenue conditions.
By account type, the general account increased by 296.4 billion KRW, and the special account by 68.1 billion KRW.
This budget actively incorporates budgets for citizen-centered projects, including the Ulbusim project, to fully promote policies that enhance citizen satisfaction.
It also focuses on strengthening welfare for socially vulnerable groups and enhancing the competitiveness of key industries, while investing in future growth industries such as secondary batteries and the hydrogen industry.
Furthermore, aiming to create a city where industry and culture harmonize, projects in the fields of culture, sports, and tourism will be actively pursued.
In particular, a concentrated budget has been allocated to ensure smooth preparations for the successful hosting of the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo.
The budget is organized into six sectors: ▲Welfare and Livelihood ▲Environment and Greenery ▲Urban Development and Social Overhead Capital (SOC) ▲Economy, Future, and New Industries ▲Disaster, Accident, and Safety ▲Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
First, 1.7022 trillion KRW is allocated to the ‘Welfare and Livelihood’ sector to implement policies for citizens and create a warm Ulsan.
Major projects include ▲94 billion KRW for support of necessary expenses for daycare center parents ▲310 million KRW for Ulsan-style elementary school gap care ▲470 million KRW for home care services for mothers and newborns ▲1.4 billion KRW for nationwide mental health investment support ▲2.6 billion KRW for additional transportation support for pregnant women, infants, and the elderly ▲700 million KRW for the construction of senior elementary schools and welfare centers for the visually impaired, among others.
In the ‘Environment and Greenery’ sector, 287.5 billion KRW will be invested to prepare for a new transformation of eco-friendly Ulsan.
Key projects include ▲13.1 billion KRW for the promotion of the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo ▲4.3 billion KRW for the construction of the Forest Greenery Management Center ▲600 million KRW for urban street garden projects ▲2.6 billion KRW for the creation of a low-carbon green industrial complex in the Mipo National Industrial Complex and Hyomun Industrial Complex ▲500 million KRW for the preparation of an urban ecological status map ▲100 million KRW for the operation of Ulsan Eagle School and migratory bird tour buses, among others.
In the ‘Urban Development and Social Overhead Capital (SOC)’ sector, 524.3 billion KRW is allocated to further strengthen the foundation for enhancing urban competitiveness.
Major projects include ▲20 billion KRW for road construction between Nongsu and Gangdong ▲10 billion KRW for the construction of Ulsan Urban Railway (Tram) Line 1 ▲8.3 billion KRW for the installation of a digital open Ulsan media facade ▲1.6 billion KRW for landscape improvement of the Taehwa River underground road ▲6 billion KRW for the expansion of the Jungsan General Industrial Complex ▲3.5 billion KRW for pedestrian environment design of the Taehwa River Sipridaebat Bridge, among others.
In the ‘Economy, Future, and New Industries’ sector, 364.4 billion KRW will be invested to sustain investments that achieve today’s prosperity and tomorrow’s leap forward.
Key projects include ▲77.2 billion KRW for the Regional Innovation Center University Support System (RISE) ▲300 million KRW for quasi-periodic support of distributed energy specialized areas ▲16.8 billion KRW for hydrogen city creation and hydrogen bus distribution ▲600 million KRW for AI autonomous manufacturing projects in the automobile and shipbuilding sectors ▲9.9 billion KRW for the construction of the National Ulsan Carbon Neutrality Specialized Science Museum ▲1.2 billion KRW for advanced chemical industry technology development and corporate support, among others.
Additionally, 808.6 billion KRW is allocated to the ‘Disaster, Accident, and Safety’ sector to create a safe Ulsan.
Major projects include ▲13.2 billion KRW for flood and disaster risk improvement in residential areas ▲700 million KRW for fire prevention support for electric vehicle charging facilities in underground parking lots ▲10 billion KRW for the purchase of firefighting helicopters and installation of fire ship training grounds ▲300 million KRW for the installation of emergency priority signal systems for fire vehicles, among others.
In the ‘Culture, Sports, and Tourism’ sector, 239.1 billion KRW is allocated to realize a cultural and tourism city full of laughter.
Major projects include ▲1.3 billion KRW for the promotion of a world-class performance hall ▲1 billion KRW for the construction of the Canoe Slalom Center (stadium) ▲1.2 billion KRW for the creation of a youth hostel and spectator stands at Munsu Baseball Stadium ▲2.5 billion KRW for the construction of Munsu Indoor Tennis Court ▲1.8 billion KRW for hosting the 2025 Korea Ulsan World Archery Competition ▲2.3 billion KRW for the creation of a historical and cultural exploration trail around Banggucheon, among others, expanding diverse content and infrastructure.
Notable projects to watch in 2025 include ▲4.7 billion KRW for the installation of underwater pumps at Yeocheon Drainage Pump Station ▲3.3 billion KRW for dredging the retention basin at Yeocheon Drainage Station ▲1.5 billion KRW for detailed design services for the International Garden Expo site, all preparing for the 2028 Ulsan International Garden Expo where people worldwide can experience and enjoy Ulsan.
Also prepared are citizen-centered and life-touching projects to boost civic pride, such as ▲6.9 billion KRW for the Ulsan Child Culture Pass ▲3 billion KRW for the creation of family picnic spaces in Ulsan Grand Park ▲600 million KRW for compensation of children’s transportation fare discounts.
Furthermore, projects to build Ulsan as a global industrial city include ▲23.7 billion KRW for regional plus jobs in shipbuilding, automobile, and petrochemical sectors ▲5 billion KRW for the development of core technologies for Korean-style urban air mobility ▲1 billion KRW for local training support for foreign workers in the shipbuilding industry.
Alongside these, various cultural content projects that allow citizens to experience the fun city of Ulsan will be implemented, such as ▲6.5 billion KRW for the Integrated Cultural Use Voucher project ▲5 billion KRW for the creation of Yeocheon and Gangdong Park Golf Courses ▲2.8 billion KRW for the Ulsan Industrial Festival, aiming to make happiness ‘bloom’ in citizens’ daily lives.
Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom stated, “We will tirelessly do our best to create ‘Dream City Ulsan,’ where businesses and people gather, good jobs abound, and culture, ecology, and welfare harmonize to make citizens happy.”
The 2025 budget draft will be submitted to the City Council on November 11, reviewed during the 252nd Ulsan City 2nd Regular Session, and finalized on December 16.
Ulsan City Hall.
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