Provincial Assembly Member Kim Minsu: "Chungnam-style Full Care Policy Should Expand as 'Merry Full Care'"

Governor Kim Taeheum: "Government Holds Welfare Budget, Limiting Our Capacity"

Concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of the Chungnam-style Full Care Welfare Policy being promoted by Governor Kim Tae-heum.

On the 27th, during the 3rd plenary session of the 356th regular meeting, Chungnam Provincial Assembly member Kim Minsoo (Democratic Party, Proportional Representation) stated, "Most of the 14 projects to be implemented under next year's Full Care Welfare Policy are continuations of existing projects. Excluding the Live Together project and contributions from cities and counties, which account for about 91% of the total budget of 88.2 billion won, the actual provincial budget is only about 6 billion won."

He added, "It seems that only models are being created due to a lack of resources. To see tangible results from the Full Care Welfare Policy, the provincial budget should be set at around 20 to 30 billion won to implement policies that other local governments cannot pursue."

He continued, "The Full Care Welfare Policy should be expanded to 'Marry Full Care,' which takes responsibility from marriage, not just after childbirth. In addition, care support for multicultural families is also necessary."

In response, Governor Kim Tae-heum said, "In other countries, when local governments have autonomy equivalent to federal states, they also have financial authority, which allows for differences and achievements depending on the region. In our country, however, the central government holds almost all financial authority related to welfare, so there are limits to what local governments can do."

Meanwhile, Chungnam Province is implementing the Strong Chungnam Full Care Welfare Policy with the goal of restoring the total fertility rate to 1.0 by 2026, aiming to provide complete care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.