Focus on Projects Directly Impacting Residents
and Revitalizing the Local Economy
On June 9, Dobong-gu in Seoul announced that it had submitted a supplementary budget proposal worth 23.8 billion won to the district council. The first supplementary budget proposal submitted by the district will undergo review and approval by the Dobong-gu Council starting June 9, with final confirmation scheduled for June 27.
If the supplementary budget is passed by the council as originally proposed, the total budget for Dobong-gu this year will expand to 912 billion won. The district stated its intention to actively address urgent issues amid a complex crisis involving high inflation, high interest rates, and low growth.
The supplementary budget is funded by national and city government subsidies, adjustment grants, and fund transfers. The district also boldly adjusted or eliminated projects that could not be implemented or were deemed unnecessary, thereby enhancing fiscal soundness and efficiency despite limited financial resources.
This supplementary budget was formulated based on three strategic criteria. First, it focuses investment on projects that have a high impact on residents, such as welfare and job creation. Second, it strengthens support for livelihoods to help revive the local economy. Third, it minimizes unnecessary expenditures through rational expenditure restructuring.
More than 12.4 billion won, accounting for over 50% of the supplementary budget, will be allocated to projects aimed at strengthening the welfare safety net. For senior welfare, 1.07 billion won will be allocated to support shingles vaccinations for those aged 65 and older, and 340 million won will be additionally allocated for facility improvements at welfare centers and senior centers. An additional 49 million won will be provided for meal support for low-income seniors.
The welfare budget for people with disabilities will receive 1 billion won. Of this, 950 million won will be added to support activity assistance for people with disabilities, 14 million won will be allocated for the operation of the individual budget system for people with disabilities, and 41 million won will be allocated for operating disability-friendly hair salons.
To address the low birth rate, 420 million won will be added to support childcare fees for infants and toddlers, 520 million won will be added to support personnel expenses for childcare workers, and 154 million won will be allocated for environmental improvements at public daycare centers.
To promote economic recovery and revitalize the community, 2.9 billion won will be invested. Of this, 230 million won will be allocated to support the operation of small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, 80 million won will be allocated to support the revitalization of shopping districts, and 16 million won will be allocated for modernization projects for traditional markets and shopping districts. An additional 53 million won will be allocated for the new issuance of Dobongttaenggyeoyo gift certificates.
To support employment for residents, 1.7 billion won will be allocated to the Seoul Companion Job Project, 104 million won will be allocated for facility improvements at the Ssangmun General Sports Center, and 2.4 billion won will be allocated for expanding cultural and sports facility infrastructure. Additionally, 1.5 billion won will be allocated for road and sidewalk improvements, and 300 million won will be allocated for the installation of security closed-circuit (CC) TVs.
Oh Unseok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, stated, "This supplementary budget proposal focuses on strengthening the social safety net and revitalizing local neighborhood businesses despite uncertain economic conditions," adding, "As soon as the supplementary budget is approved by the council, we will execute it swiftly so that residents can experience tangible changes."
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