Jung Jaeseong: "Establishing a Financial Foundation for a Barrier-Free City"
Ko Youngim: "Enhancing the Symbolic Status of Buk-gu's Commemorative Day"
A legal foundation has been established in Buk-gu, Gwangju to expand welfare funds for people with disabilities and to provide free village bus rides on the anniversary of the May 18th Gwangju Democratization Movement.
The Buk-gu Council of Gwangju announced on the 26th that, during its 301st temporary session, related ordinance amendments passed the standing committee, accelerating support for region-specific welfare and commemorative projects.
The partial amendment to the "Buk-gu Social Welfare Fund Establishment and Operation Ordinance," jointly proposed by Council Members Jung Jaeseong (Geon-guk, Yangsan, Sinyong-dong) and Kim Youngsun, stipulates that 60% of fines collected for violations of parking spaces designated for people with disabilities will be allocated to the welfare fund, strengthening the budget for building a barrier-free city. Although the existing ordinance set the fund accumulation limit at "up to 300 million KRW," the actual amount accumulated remained around 100 million KRW. With the amendment, it is expected that about 200 million KRW will be additionally secured annually.
Council Member Jung stated, "We have revised the system to ensure fiscal management meets welfare demands," and added, "With the expanded fund, we expect to implement more practical projects to create a barrier-free city."
The partial amendment to the "May 18th Democratization Movement Commemorative Project Support Ordinance," proposed by Council Member Ko Youngim (Junghung 1, Junghung, Sinan, Im, Jungang-dong), provides the legal basis for supporting free village bus rides under Buk-gu’s jurisdiction on the May 18th anniversary. While Gwangju City offers free rides on city buses and subways, village buses under district jurisdiction faced difficulties due to insufficient legal grounds for support.
Council Member Ko said, "I am glad that we have institutionalized practical support, even in the year marking the 45th anniversary of the commemoration," and added, "I hope this will enhance convenience for citizens visiting Buk-gu and further elevate the region’s symbolic status as a sacred place of democratization."
Both amendments are scheduled for final approval at the plenary session on the 28th.
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