Paju-si Awarded Excellent Local Government at the 'Chamjoheun Local Autonomy Policy Conference'

Only Focused on People's Livelihood, Advancing Unstoppably as a Leading Basic Society City

Gyeonggi Paju City (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) received the Chairman Award of the National Assembly's Administrative and Security Committee at the ‘2024 Chamjoeun Local Autonomy Policy Conference’ held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 29th, recognizing the revitalization of the local economy through the issuance of the largest-scale local currency (Paju Pay) in the nation.

Paju City received the Chairman's Award from the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee at the '2024 Excellent Local Autonomy Policy Conference' held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 29th, in recognition of the economic revitalization achievements through the issuance of the nation's largest local currency, Paju Pay. Photo by Paju City

The Chamjoeun Local Autonomy Policy Conference is held annually under the auspices of the Chamjoeun Local Government Council, serving as a platform to share excellent policies of local governments and promote policy exchange to foster the development of local autonomy.

Mayor Kim Kyung-il of Paju City attended the policy conference and explained the background and achievements of issuing the largest-scale Paju Pay nationwide through a policy presentation. He stated, “Despite the severe cuts in the national budget for local currency, we decided to issue Paju Pay on a large scale as the first payment this year,” adding, “This decision was based on our confidence in the virtuous cycle effect of local currency on the local economy, proven through last year’s ‘Nation’s First Emergency Energy Living Support Fund’ policy, which provided 200,000 won in local currency to every household in Paju City.”

While many local governments nationwide have either suspended local currency projects, lowered incentive rates, or ended projects upon budget exhaustion this year, Paju City invested 34.4 billion won, the largest scale in the country, maintaining a 10% incentive rate. Furthermore, by significantly raising the local currency recharge limit and securing a stable budget to continue the project without interruption, Paju Pay achieved a 50% increase in both issuance and payment amounts compared to the previous year.

Mayor Kim Kyung-il said, “Paju City will gradually implement customized policies based on the ‘Paju-type Basic Society’ to improve the quality of life for all citizens,” and added, “Just as we issued Paju Pay on the largest scale nationwide, we will expand the benefits and fruits of the Basic Society to the highest level nationwide, making Paju a leading city of the Basic Society.”