Kim Dongon, Cheongyang County Governor: "Establishing Residential Environment Infrastructure for Population Growth Next Year"

Kim Donggon, head of Cheongyang County, is explaining the direction of next year's county administration through a policy speech at the regular meeting of the Cheongyang County Council on the 9th. /Cheongyang County

Kim Dongon, Governor of Cheongyang County, Chungnam, stated on the 9th, "Although we are facing difficult circumstances due to the continued deterioration of fiscal conditions, we will do our utmost to establish a residential environment foundation for long-term population growth even under a tight fiscal policy."

Governor Kim made these remarks during his administrative address at the 7th plenary session of the 306th 2nd regular meeting of the Cheongyang County Council, outlining "the main contents of the 2025 main budget and the direction of county administration."

He continued, "Next year's budget for Cheongyang County is 622.9 billion KRW, an increase of 30.5 billion KRW (5.2%) compared to this year. The general account is 547 billion KRW, up 14.1 billion KRW (2.7%) from this year's 532.9 billion KRW, and the special account is 5.3 billion KRW, an increase of 1.2 billion KRW (28.6%) from this year's 4.1 billion KRW."

He added, "The fund is 70.6 billion KRW, up 15.2 billion KRW (27.6%) from this year's 55.4 billion KRW. Excluding 55.6 billion KRW of internal transactions, such as transfers and loans of surplus fund resources to the general account, the actual level is similar to this year."

The county has actively allocated resources to projects such as the Chungnam-type Live Together initiative, which is necessary for sustainable development as a local government, improving residents' quality of life, and establishing a foundation for long-term population growth in Cheongyang. Budgets for improving the welfare environment for vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the health sector, and culture and tourism have been boldly increased, while the timing of some SOC project budgets has been adjusted.

By sector, budgets increased for culture and tourism (37.1 billion KRW, 32%), environment (69 billion KRW, 25%), health (13.9 billion KRW, 21.2%), and social welfare (117.2 billion KRW, 17.4%). However, budgets for land and regional development and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries decreased by 11.4 billion KRW and 18.7 billion KRW, respectively, due to reduced project costs for recovery from last year's heavy rain damage.

Governor Kim presented the following as next year's main administrative directions: dramatic improvement of residential conditions in Cheongyang to make it a place everyone wants to live; creating a competitive agricultural environment with a top priority on increasing agricultural income; establishing an all-generation "comprehensive care system" for a better welfare environment; building Cheongyang as a tourism and leisure city that attracts visitors and brings joy; and revitalizing local communities centered on residents.

Governor Kim said, "Since the launch of the 7th popularly elected administration, our county has transformed into an organization focused on fair and transparent problem-solving, securing 234 public contest projects and 531.4 billion KRW. Based on this, we have drawn a blueprint for regional growth and led change and innovation. With the 8th administration, the blueprints for Cheongyang's development are gradually taking shape and bearing fruit."

Since the 7th administration, including the attraction of the Chungnam Forest Resources Research Institute last August, the county has attracted four new provincial-level institutions. In October, with the completion of the "119 Complex Town," which provides annual training for about 20,000 firefighting personnel, a total of eight provincial public institutions are now located in the county. Despite having the smallest population in the province, Cheongyang has achieved the distinction of attracting the most provincial-level public institutions.

Next year, the Chungnam Social Economy Innovation Town, Chungnam Climate Environment Education Center, and Chungnam Student Health Promotion Integrated Education Experience Center are scheduled to open sequentially.

In particular, major facilities of the three key tourism hub development projects centered on Chilgapsan, with a total project cost of 77.2 billion KRW, will be unveiled and are expected to become new landmarks for the region.

Additionally, the Cheongnam Park Golf Course, which opened last August, and the largest Chungnam Provincial Park Golf Course in the country are nearing completion. When the Geumseong Baekjo private golf course is completed, Cheongyang is expected to emerge as a mecca for tourism, golf, and leisure.

Governor Kim said, "In these more difficult fiscal circumstances than ever, we have allocated the budget with deep consideration, like wringing out a dry towel. I ask for the special interest and support of the council members," adding, "I promise to deliver administration for the development of the region and the happiness of the residents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.