Andong City on the Verge of Securing 1 Trillion Won in National and Provincial Government Funds

Overcoming the Trials of Wildfires,
Andong Rises Again as a Leading City in the Local Era

Andong City in Gyeongbuk has achieved its greatest results since its establishment by securing 955.2 billion won in national and provincial government funds this year. Including the third supplementary budget, the size of the general account stands at 2.171 trillion won, marking the first time the general account alone has surpassed 2 trillion won.

Andong City Hall, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Byunggeon Kwon

The amount of national and provincial government funds secured, which remained in the 460 billion won range until 2021, has more than doubled in just four years, signaling the imminent arrival of the "1 trillion won era." While this achievement includes 305 billion won in wildfire recovery funds, it is especially significant as the city has expanded its resources across various sectors, including future new industries, population revitalization, and culture and tourism.

◆ Establishment of the Local Era Policy Office and Introduction of the Director Accountability System

Since 2024, Andong City has established the "Local Era Policy Office," which oversees responses to national and provincial government project competitions, and has introduced the "Director Accountability System," under which directors are responsible for projects from the application stage onward, thereby significantly strengthening its response system.

Additionally, the city checks each department's visits to higher-level agencies every month, and the mayor, directors, and department heads frequently visit central government ministries and the National Assembly to directly explain local issues and request comprehensive support.

Through these strategic responses, Andong City became the first in the country to secure all three of the government’s Local Era Special Zones (pilot area for educational development, opportunity development special zone, and Korea Cultural City). Furthermore, it succeeded in being designated as a national advanced strategic industry cluster in the bio and vaccine sectors, securing future growth engines.

◆ Consecutive Selection for Competitive Projects Drives Regional Revitalization

Andong City was selected for all of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s core competitive projects: ▲ GO Hyang Olrae (GO 鄕 ALL 來), ▲ Regional Customized Integrated Support Center for Marriage, Childbirth, and Childcare, and ▲ Inter-local Government Joint and Cooperative Activation Project. These projects are evaluated as providing tangible momentum to overcome the risk of local extinction and restore regional vitality.

The city is not satisfied with these achievements and plans to proactively identify and systematically respond to national investment projects aligned with new government policies next year, continuing its focus on securing national and provincial government funds.

◆ "Opening the Path to a Great Leap Forward for Andong"

Andong Mayor Kwon Gichang stated, "This achievement is the result of the efforts of more than 1,500 public officials and the aspirations of 150,000 citizens. We will do our utmost not only to overcome the aftermath of large-scale wildfires but also to accelerate Andong’s new leap forward and, ultimately, its great leap forward."

The success Andong City has achieved in securing national and provincial government funds is seen as a turning point that goes beyond financial independence for local governments, enabling the city to overcome the risk of extinction and emerge as a hub for future industries. In particular, the "Local Era Policy Office" and "Director Accountability System" are expected to become benchmarking models for other local governments in the future.