Jeonnam Provincial Council Completes Review of 2026 Provincial and Education Office Budget Proposals

Provincial Budget Increased to 12.7 Trillion Won
Education Office Sees 9.1% Decrease

The Special Committee on Budget and Accounts of the Jeonnam Provincial Council announced on December 15 that it has completed its review of the 2026 budget proposals submitted by Jeonnam Province and the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education during the 395th 2nd regular session.

The budget proposal submitted by Jeonnam Province for next year amounts to 12.7023 trillion won, an increase of 158.7 billion won (5.4%) compared to the previous year. The budget proposal from the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education is 4.441 trillion won, a decrease of 444 billion won (9.1%).

Jeonnam Provincial Council Building

The committee explained that, given the reduced tax revenue caused by the economic downturn and sluggish domestic demand, it focused its review on whether the limited financial resources could have a tangible impact on residents' livelihoods and the educational field.

For the Jeonnam Province budget, the committee cut 13.1 billion won from 71 items and increased 28.4 billion won for 151 items in the general account expenditure budget. The special accounts and funds were approved as originally proposed. Major increases include 8.9 billion won for public interest allowances for farmers and fishers, 1 billion won for honor allowances for veterans, and 1.5 billion won for river sediment dredging and management. On the other hand, 200 million won for regional research and development cooperation projects and 300 million won for the establishment of local fishing port development plans were reduced.

Regarding the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education budget, the committee cut 33.7 billion won from 18 items and increased 33.7 billion won for 33 items. The funds were approved as originally proposed.

Major increases in the education office budget include 15.1 billion won for student education allowances, 600 million won for arts instructor operations, and 200 million won for the expansion of multipurpose auditoriums. Meanwhile, 500 million won for exhibition facility design costs for the Jeonnam Future International High School history museum and 200 million won for school facility repair costs were reduced.

Chairman Ryu Gijun stated, "We excluded populist and wasteful budgets and focused our review on projects that contribute to stabilizing the local economy and strengthening future competitiveness. We urge the executive branch to establish detailed project plans and implement them without delay."

The results of this Special Committee on Budget and Accounts review are scheduled to be finalized at the plenary session on December 16.