Gyeongju City Council Begins Full-Scale Review of Main Budget with Record 75 Billion Won Increase for Next Year... 15.1 Billion Won Decrease in Fund Operation Also Under Scrutiny

The 2nd Regular Session of the 294th Gyeongju City Council Opens
Schedule Runs Through the 19th of Next Month

The Gyeongju City Council (Chairman Lee Donghyeop) held the 1st plenary session of the 2nd regular meeting of the 294th Gyeongju City Council in the main chamber on the 27th, marking the start of the final session schedule for 2025.

Before the plenary session began, each council member delivered a five-minute free speech on the following topics: ▲ "The Need to Address the Hwangodong Prostitution Zone Issue and Urban Regeneration" (Assemblyman Jeong Heetaek), ▲ "Creating a City Where Talent Grows and Settles" (Assemblywoman Han Soonhee), ▲ "Introduction of Public Renewable Energy Policies" (Assemblyman Lee Kanghee), and ▲ "Abolition and Improvement of the Prompt Execution System" (Assemblyman Kim Donghae).

Gyeongju City Council (Chairman Lee Donghyeop) is holding the 1st plenary session of the 2nd regular meeting of the 294th Gyeongju City Council on the 27th. Provided by Gyeongju City Council

The subsequent plenary session proceeded in the following order: "Decision on the Session Period of the 2nd Regular Meeting of the 294th Gyeongju City Council," "Mayoral Address on the Submission of the 2026 Budget Bill," "Proposal Explanation for the 2026 Budget Bill and Fund Operation Plan," "Request for Attendance by the Mayor of Gyeongju and Related Officials," "Appointment of Council Members to Sign the Minutes," and "Recommendation of Committee Members."

During the recess period from the 28th to the 10th of next month, each standing committee will review and hear a total of 33 agenda items, including the "2025 Major Work Progress Report," the "2026 Budget Bill and Fund Operation Plan," 18 ordinance bills, 6 consent bills, 5 reports, and 2 amendments to the public property management plan.

Among these, three agenda items were proposed by the Gyeongju City Council: the "Partial Amendment Ordinance Bill on Support for Volunteer Activities in Gyeongju," the "Ordinance Bill on Fostering and Supporting the Drone Industry in Gyeongju" (sponsored by Assemblyman Choi Jaepil), and the "Ordinance Bill on Fostering and Supporting Local Food in Gyeongju" (sponsored by Assemblyman Joo Dongyeol).

Additionally, the total amount of the main budget for 2026 is 2.1 trillion won, an increase of 75 billion won compared to 2025, making it the largest ever. The fund operation scale is 254.5 billion won across 11 funds, a decrease of 15.1 billion won compared to 2025.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Lee Donghyeop stated, "I would like to express my gratitude to the citizens of Gyeongju, public officials, and all APEC stakeholders for their efforts toward the successful hosting of the 2025 APEC Summit." He added, "As this regular session will address very important agenda items such as the 2025 major work report, the 2026 budget bill, and the 2025 third supplementary budget bill, I ask for the active participation and cooperation of my fellow council members and public officials."

Going forward, the 2nd regular meeting of the 294th Gyeongju City Council is scheduled to review the "2026 Budget Bill and Fund Operation Plan" at the 2nd plenary session on the 11th of next month, the "2025 Third Supplementary Budget Bill and Fund Operation Plan Amendment" at the 3rd plenary session on the 18th, and will conclude its 23-day schedule with the 4th plenary session on the 19th.