Gwangju City Allocates 567 Billion Won in Supplementary Budget, Submits to City Council on 13th

Focusing on Revitalizing Livelihoods and Protecting the Vulnerable
Securing Competitiveness in AI and Mobility Industries
Responding to Climate Change and Enhancing Citizen Convenience

Gwangju City Hall exterior view.

On October 13, Gwangju City allocated 567 billion won for the second supplementary budget of 2025, aimed at stabilizing citizens' livelihoods and strengthening the foundation for future growth, and submitted it to the city council. With this supplementary budget, the city's total budget will increase by 7.0%, from the previous 8.0891 trillion won to 8.6561 trillion won.

The city explained that this supplementary budget focuses on revitalizing the local economy and supporting citizens' livelihoods amid a complex economic crisis characterized by high inflation and high interest rates. In particular, the budget was formulated in line with the central government's policies to stimulate the economy and stabilize people's lives. It centers on three main principles: support for livelihood recovery, establishing a foundation for implementing national policy tasks, and responding to natural disasters, with specific projects organized around these priorities.

First, the city prioritized budget allocations to revive sluggish consumer sentiment and ease the burden on ordinary citizens. This includes 368.3 billion won for livelihood recovery consumption coupons that provide tangible benefits to citizens, 55.6 billion won to support the issuance of local gift certificates, and 1.53 billion won for digital Onnuri gift certificate reimbursement. The budget also strengthens protection for socially vulnerable groups by including 3.9 billion won for special monthly rent support for young people, 590 million won to subsidize sports facility fees for seniors, and 180 million won for pre-pregnancy health management support.

Investments in future growth engines such as artificial intelligence (AI) and mobility were also included. Major projects include 1 billion won for establishing a Mobility AX Demonstration Lab, 150 million won for preliminary research on the National AI Mobility Pilot City, and 400 million won for planning a physical AI-based future vehicle industry innovation cluster. Through these allocations, the city aims to realize its vision of "AI-Centered Gwangju" and lay the groundwork for a transition to future industries.

The budget also addresses the need for proactive responses to unpredictable climate change, such as record heatwaves and heavy rainfall. It includes 1 billion won for emergency restoration of flood damage, 20.4 billion won for disaster response measures, 210 million won for disaster recovery related to waste disposal from heavy rainfall, and 7 million won to support the restoration of electrical and gas facilities in traditional markets, ensuring rapid response and recovery in the event of disasters. Additionally, the city plans to expand transportation convenience and welfare for citizens through 21.7 billion won for the Honam Expressway expansion project and 980 million won to support special transportation for people with mobility challenges.

Lee Byungcheol, Director of Planning and Coordination, stated, "This supplementary budget is focused on livelihood recovery in line with government policy directions, aiming to stabilize citizens' lives and boost the vitality of the local economy. We will support a leap forward by turning crisis into opportunity through this budget."

Meanwhile, the city plans to secure funding for the city's matching share of central government-subsidized projects included in this supplementary budget through expenditure restructuring and the issuance of local bonds, in accordance with the pending amendment to the "Local Finance Act" in the National Assembly. These measures will be reflected in the year-end supplementary budget adjustment.