Inje County Sees Marked Increases in Social Welfare and Tourism Budgets
Inje County, Gangwon Province, has finalized its 2026 main budget at 668.5 billion won following deliberation by the Inje County Council.
According to the county, the 2026 main budget stands at 668.5 billion won, an increase of approximately 11.5 billion won from the previous year. Of this, 595.5 billion won is allocated to the general account and 72.9 billion won to the special account, representing a 1.75% increase year-on-year.
Despite challenging revenue conditions caused by high interest rates, inflation, and economic stagnation, the county strategically allocated resources, focusing on key initiatives of the eighth popularly elected administration-such as tourism and station area development-as well as livelihood policies that residents can directly feel.
By sector, 128.6 billion won (19.24%) is allocated to the environment, 112.5 billion won (16.83%) to social welfare, 78.9 billion won (11.81%) to agriculture, forestry, maritime, and fisheries, and 76.5 billion won (11.45%) to culture and tourism.
In particular, the social welfare sector saw an increase of 14.3 billion won compared to last year, while the culture and tourism sector also received an additional 10.3 billion won, underscoring the county's emphasis on improving resident welfare and advancing as a tourism city.
Major new projects include: 2.5 billion won for the Bangdong Branch School tourism project (provincial funds and conversion project); 1.1 billion won for the Salgumi District eco-friendly waterfront development (fund); 1.2 billion won for the Wontongcheon ecological stream restoration project (provincial funds and conversion project); and 1.3 billion won for the construction of Rural Road No. 208 (Galwon Line) in Buk-myeon (balanced national development special account).
For the county's flagship initiative to become a "city attracting 10 million tourists," the budget includes 3 billion won for the Baekdudaegan Nature Stay Healing Center, 3.4 billion won for the Inje-style Smart Workation Center, and 800 million won for the Soyang Lake Ecological Experience Center. Regarding station area development, the budget allocates 6.2 billion won for the regional development project linked to the East-West High-Speed Railway, 3 billion won for land acquisition for station area development, and 1.8 billion won for the Youth Rural Housing Project.
Additionally, to secure drinking water directly affecting residents' daily lives, the budget includes 12.5 billion won for the Seohwa and Cheondo integrated water supply construction, 3 billion won for the expansion of water pipelines in Deokjeok and Garisan-ri, Inje-eup, and 2 billion won for the expansion of water pipelines in Gwandae and Sinwol-ri, Nam-myeon. To enhance resident safety, 10 billion won is allocated for the construction of county and rural roads, and a total of 20.3 billion won-including 14.8 billion won in national and provincial funds-will be invested in disaster risk improvement districts and comprehensive storm and flood management projects.
Inje County plans to continue monitoring project implementation to ensure the budget is used appropriately, and will rigorously review effectiveness and validity to maintain responsible fiscal management.
An official from Inje County stated, "Despite difficult fiscal conditions, we prioritized sectors directly linked to residents' lives and core projects for Inje County's future growth when allocating the budget. We will do our utmost to ensure that the approved budget leads to tangible results through thorough project management and execution."
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