Gyeonggi Province Sees Major Increase in Border Area Budget in Next Year's Government Proposal... Hopes for Balanced Development

75 Billion Won Allocated for Next Year's Border Area Development Support Project
182% Increase Compared to Previous Year
56.5 Billion Won Allocated for Next Year's Special Situation Area Development Project
4% Increase Compared to Previous Year
Five New Projects, Including Living SOC, Added for Gapyeong County Newly Designated as Border Area in March

Gyeonggi Province announced on September 18 that the 2026 government budget proposal includes a significant allocation for the "Border Area Development Support Project" to promote growth in border regions, as well as the "Special Situation Area Development Project" aimed at improving living conditions in underdeveloped areas.

Exterior view of Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

The province expects that if the government budget proposal is finalized as is, it will serve as an opportunity to expand living infrastructure in the northern border areas of Gyeonggi and accelerate balanced regional development.

The budget for the Border Area Development Support Project included in the 2026 government proposal stands at 7.46 billion won, an increase of 4.8 billion won (182%) compared to last year's finalized budget of 2.65 billion won. The budget for the Special Situation Area Development Project is 56.5 billion won, up by 2.2 billion won (4%) from last year's 54.3 billion won.

In Gapyeong County, which was newly designated as a border area in March this year, five new projects for living social overhead capital and tourism infrastructure have been included, injecting new vitality into balanced development in northern Gyeonggi.

The budgets for the Special Situation Area Development Project and the Border Area Development Support Project will be invested in tangible initiatives such as expanding road and transportation infrastructure, developing tourism and cultural resources, creating community spaces for residents, and revitalizing DMZ peace tourism. Through these efforts, the province believes it has gained momentum to drive substantial changes in various areas, including improving living conditions and boosting tourism and culture.

Kim Sangsoo, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Balanced Development Planning Office, said, "If the government budget is finalized and we secure the allocated national funds, border areas that have long faced challenging development conditions will gain new growth engines, and residents will experience tangible changes. We will work together with the central government and local municipalities to promote balanced development and future growth simultaneously."