Bold Investments for the Future Despite Population Decline Challenges
Key Policy Directions Outlined in District Council's Administrative Speech... Emphasis on Cooperation Between Executive and Council
Largest Budget Allocation to Welfare at 66.9%, 54.7 Billion KRW Invested in Environment for 'Carbon Neutral Leading City'
Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it has prepared the 2025 main budget of 1.2925 trillion won and submitted it to the district council.
Along with the budget preparation, Mayor Oh Seung-rok delivered a policy speech at the Nowon-gu Council plenary session held on the 18th, emphasizing, “In a financial situation where even optimism that tomorrow will be better than today is difficult,” he stated, “We will sensitively detect changes in the administrative environment and prepare for the future.”
The total budget prepared by the district for 2025 amounts to 1.2925 trillion won, which is 34.2 billion won less than this year. The decrease in the total budget is unusual and is due to an overall decline in tax revenue caused by the general domestic economic downturn and sluggish real estate transactions.
The district explained that through intensive expenditure restructuring across all policy projects, it carefully evaluated underperforming projects and those with budget-saving potential, focusing on securing the continuity and competitiveness of public administrative services even under a tight fiscal policy.
For example, cultural projects including the five major representative festivals such as the Nowon Handmade Beer Festival had their budgets slightly reduced based on the judgment that stable operation is possible with accumulated know-how. However, the diversity of cultural content has rather expanded through new projects such as the 'Masters of New York' exhibition and the reopening commemorative 'Jo Sumi Special Performance' at the Nowon Culture and Arts Center.
The largest portion of the district’s budget is allocated to social welfare. Reflecting the regional characteristics with many welfare recipients such as the elderly and disabled, 865.5 billion won, accounting for 66.9% of the total budget, was allocated. While a large portion of the budget is invested in supporting vulnerable groups through livelihood benefits and basic pensions, the district expressed its intention to complete a welfare network spanning generations by introducing niche welfare services such as the Ddokddokddok Care Team and the newly introduced Nowon-type Youth Autonomous Budget System.
Another notable point is the bold allocation of 54.7 billion won to the environmental sector. As the only district in the metropolitan area selected as a 'Carbon Neutral Leading City,' Nowon-gu plans to proactively respond to the transition to a carbon-neutral society by operating the Green Building Support Center and support the smooth implementation of related policies.
In his policy speech at the district council, Mayor Oh explained the budget preparation stance and the policy direction for next year, while expressing gratitude for the cooperation of the district council.
He emphasized that the excellent performance of the district’s major projects in external evaluations and the positive assessment by 84.1% of residents in policy evaluation surveys were largely due to the cooperation with the district council. At the same time, he requested cooperation to ensure that the 2025 budget, prepared under difficult conditions, will be used appropriately for the residents.
This budget proposal will be finalized through the plenary session resolution next month after review by the district council.
Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “This is a time that requires intense deliberation and wisdom to return residents’ taxes as better services through prudent management,” adding, “Based on rational budget preparation, we will support the daily lives of residents and the future of the region.”
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