Increased Budget for Old Sewage Pipeline Renovation and Emergency Medical Support
Seoul's Annual Budget Rises to 49.7519 Trillion Won, Up 3.3% from Original Allocation
Multiple Ordinances Passed on Children's Right to Play and Sports Facility Management
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has finalized a supplementary budget plan of 1.6 trillion won, which includes support for small business owners and SMEs, underground safety management, and the establishment of an artificial intelligence (AI) industrial base.
On the afternoon of June 27, the Seoul Metropolitan Council held the 4th plenary session of its 331st regular meeting and approved the 'Seoul Metropolitan Government's 1st Supplementary Budget Plan' with amendments. The approved supplementary budget amounts to 1.5974 trillion won, which is 17.2 billion won less than the original proposal of 1.6146 trillion won submitted by the city.
Previously, on May 26, the Seoul Metropolitan Government had submitted a supplementary budget plan focused on supporting small business owners and SMEs, preventing large sinkholes by renovating old sewage pipelines, and establishing an AI industrial base.
During the review process, the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts of the city council adjusted the budgets for certain projects. Budgets for public wedding hall support, the Yangjae AI Innovation District development, Sonmok Doctor 9988, advanced maintenance zones, and the International Garden Expo were partially reduced. In contrast, budgets for newlywed household marriage support, emergency medical institution support, health management support for infertile couples, the K-Architecture International Forum, and renovation of old sewage pipelines were increased.
As a result, Seoul's total budget for this year has increased by 3.3%, from the original 48.1545 trillion won to 49.7519 trillion won.
At the plenary session, ordinances to strengthen underground safety management were also passed. These included a partial amendment to the 'Seoul Metropolitan Government Urban Planning Ordinance,' which allows the appointment of underground safety experts to the Urban Planning Committee, and a partial amendment to the 'Seoul Metropolitan Government Underground Safety Management Ordinance,' which mandates regular ground-penetrating radar (GPR) inspections and the disclosure of results for underground facilities and surrounding ground.
Other approved ordinances included a revision to the 'Ordinance on Guaranteeing Children's Right to Play in Seoul,' which enshrines children's right to play, and a partial amendment to the 'Ordinance on the Promotion of Bicycle Use in Seoul,' which allows for discounted Ttareungi bicycle rental fees for families with multiple children.
Additionally, the plenary session passed a partial amendment to the 'Ordinance on the Installation and Operation of Seoul Metropolitan Sports Facilities' to systematically manage turf damage at city-run sports facilities, as well as a partial amendment to the 'Basic Ordinance on Citizen Health Management in Seoul,' which enables the appointment of private experts as Chief Health Officers to support the city's health policy development.
Oh Sehoon, Mayor of Seoul, stated, "This supplementary budget covers both the stabilization of livelihoods and investments for the future," adding, "We will execute the budget swiftly and efficiently to focus on stabilizing livelihoods and ensuring citizen safety."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
