Gimpo City's Policy Receives Positive Response from Citizens
Moving Beyond Facility Improvements to Provide Substantial Support
Over 4 to 1 Competition Rate Reflects High Popularity
Significant Contribution to Reducing Educational Gaps and Promoting Balanced Regional Development
The airport noise scholarship support program, implemented for the first time this year by Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province, is receiving significant attention and positive feedback from citizens, effectively demonstrating the policy's impact.
According to Gimpo City on April 23, this initiative marks a departure from the previous approach, which focused primarily on facility improvements within noise-affected areas. Instead, it was newly launched in line with the 8th popularly elected administration's principle of "enhancing citizens' sense of policy effectiveness through practical measures." By providing tangible financial support and ensuring educational opportunities for residents inconvenienced in their daily lives by airport noise, the program delivers dual value in improving quality of life.
The program targets a total of 104 recipients (60 university students and 44 high school students). As of the interim tally, 415 applications have been received, resulting in a high competition rate of about 4 to 1. Applications will continue to be accepted until the deadline on April 25, and the competition is expected to intensify further. This not only reflects the high level of interest from local residents but also serves as an indicator of the policy's effectiveness.
In particular, this scholarship program is significant in that it goes beyond simple financial assistance. It aims to inspire academic motivation among students in noise-affected areas and contributes to narrowing educational gaps and promoting balanced regional development.
A Gimpo City official stated, "The response from citizens has been even more enthusiastic than expected," adding, "Based on this positive feedback, we plan to expand the number of recipients and the budget next year so that more students can benefit."
Meanwhile, this scholarship program is drawing attention as a representative example of Gimpo City's policy commitment to addressing structural disadvantages caused by airport noise and enhancing equity in educational opportunities.
Gimpo City plans to continue identifying practical measures to improve citizens' quality of life and to pursue warm, people-centered administration that everyone can truly feel.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
