Gangseo District Sets 2026 Budget at 1.4356 Trillion Won for “Leap Toward a Future City”

A 10.44% Increase Over This Year
Easing Height Restrictions, Boosting MICE, and AI Innovation
Mayor Jin Gyohun: "Enhancing Quality of Life for 550,000 Residents"

Gangseo District in Seoul (Mayor Jin Gyohun) has allocated a total budget of 1.4356 trillion won for 2026. This represents a 10.44% increase compared to this year. Marking the final year of the eighth popularly elected administration as the “first year of establishing a foundation for the future,” the district will focus intensive investments on six core areas: balanced development, safety, future economy, welfare, education, and AI-driven administrative innovation.

Jin Gyohun, Mayor of Gangseo District, delivered a policy speech regarding the submission of the 2026 budget proposal at the 315th regular session held at the Gangseo District Council on the 17th. Provided by Gangseo District.

Jin Gyohun, Mayor of Gangseo District, stated, “Gangseo is now at a critical turning point. Long-standing challenges such as the easing of height restrictions, the advancement of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry, and the expansion of the urban rail network are gradually becoming reality. Although our fiscal conditions remain challenging, we will not stop driving changes that improve residents’ lives,” adding, “We will enhance urban competitiveness and strengthen welfare that residents can truly feel, completing Gangseo as a sustainable future city.”

85 billion won will be invested in urban competitiveness and balanced development, with major initiatives including the easing of height restrictions at Gimpo Airport, urban regeneration projects in older neighborhoods, and the advancement of the Daejang-Hongdae Line and Gangbuk Cross Line metropolitan railways. For public safety and environmental improvements, 50.7 billion won has been allocated to projects such as installing vertical elevators in high-altitude areas of Hwagok-dong, maintaining sewer pipelines, and implementing flood prevention measures.

To revitalize the local economy and MICE sector, 87 billion won will be invested. Gangseo will host the “2026 Korea Business Expo,” becoming the first basic local government to do so, and will also issue Gangseo Sarang Gift Certificates to support small and medium-sized enterprises and promote local consumption. The welfare, childcare, and health sectors will receive more than 60% of the total budget, amounting to 916.6 billion won, with enhanced efforts to eliminate welfare blind spots, support seniors and people with disabilities, address low birth rates, and promote healthy eating habits.

In the education, culture, and sports sectors, 51.3 billion won has been allocated for initiatives such as the establishment of Gangseo’s first history and culture center, expansion of youth cultural and sports infrastructure, and the enlargement of signature festivals. The AI-based smart administration sector will receive 1.3 billion won, supporting the creation of an AI Zone, AI chatbot civil service, and autonomous robot demonstration projects.

The submitted 2026 budget proposal will be finalized in December after deliberation by the Gangseo District Council.