Discussion on Establishing a Foundation for Sustainable Growth in Inje County
in Line with the New Government's Local Finance Policy Direction
Inje County in Gangwon Province and the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration held a strategic forum to share efforts and achievements in strengthening local fiscal capacity, and to explore progressive alternatives and response strategies together with experts in the field of local finance.
Inje County and the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration held a forum titled "Exploring Strategies for Sustainable Fiscal Independence of Inje County" on the 18th at the main conference room of Inje County Office. Provided by Inje County
This forum was held on the 18th at the main conference room of Inje County Office under the theme "Exploring Strategies for Sustainable Fiscal Independence of Inje County." More than 40 participants attended, including Inje County Governor Choi Sanggi, relevant public officials, members of the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration, and experts in local finance.
The first presentation was delivered by Inje County Governor Choi Sanggi. He explained the achievements in improving the county's finances and strategies to secure autonomous fiscal authority under the government of popular sovereignty, emphasizing the need for separate measures tailored to the characteristics of border regions.
In particular, he highlighted the need for institutional improvements such as: △ increasing the weighting for border regions, △ compensating for administrative demand generated by military personnel, △ raising the budget for border area support within the Special Account for Regional Balanced Development, △ expanding the scope of the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund, and △ amending the State Property Act regarding the acquisition of unused military land.
The second presentation was given by Jeon Youngjun, Associate Research Fellow at the Local Finance and Economy Division of the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration, who discussed "Measures to Revitalize Inje County's Hometown Love Donation Program." He explained the program's overview and its implementation status nationwide, emphasizing the need for: △ development of story-based, emotion-centered content, △ parallel promotion of demand-based projects and donor-customized projects, △ operation of resident-participatory proposals and open calls, and △ establishment of a performance-based feedback system.
This was followed by an expert panel discussion moderated by Kim Sungju, Director of the Local Finance and Economy Division at the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration. The panel included Seo Jeongseop, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements; Shin Yuho, Professor at Dankook University; and Cho Kihyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration.
Inje County Governor Choi Sanggi stated, "This forum was especially meaningful at a crucial time when we must seek resident-centered regional development and fiscal policies for sustainable growth in line with the new government's local finance policy direction. Based on the issues discussed, we will systematically establish and implement future fiscal strategies for Inje County."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.

