Democracy Movement Group Budget "Cut"
Pallyong Tunnel Budget "Restored"
The Changwon Special City Council in Gyeongnam has finalized the main budget for Changwon City for 2026 at 4.0126 trillion won.
On December 19, the council held the 4th plenary session of its 148th regular meeting, during which it confirmed next year's main budget for Changwon City and handled a total of 42 agenda items, thereby concluding this year's session.
The city had submitted a budget proposal totaling 4.0142 trillion won, but the council reduced it by 1.55278 billion won.
The Democratic Party of Korea submitted three amendment proposals, seeking to restore the following items that had been cut by the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts: 46.86 million won for four democracy movement commemoration projects, 80 million won for the research service fee for the Korea Democracy Hall, and 1.4645 billion won for the loss-sharing payment for the restructuring of the Pallyong Tunnel and the improvement of nearby intersections. The amendments also proposed to cut 224 million won from the 100th anniversary project for "Spring in My Hometown."
However, all amendment proposals were voted down by the majority People Power Party among the 40 council members present.
As a result, the 80 million won research service fee for the Korea Democracy Hall and 26.8 million won for three democracy movement-related projects-including the Buma Democratic Uprising civic lectures, democracy field trips, and the Kim Juyul history tour for Yeongho-Nam unity-were completely cut. The budget for the March 15 Uprising commemoration project was reduced by 20 million won, leaving only 54.9 million won allocated.
The 1.3645 billion won loss-sharing payment for the restructuring of the Pallyong Tunnel and 100 million won for the improvement of nearby intersections, which had been cut, were restored through the amendment proposal.
The budget for the 100th anniversary project of the creation of "Spring in My Hometown" was adjusted from 890 million won for 13 projects to 850 million won for 12 projects.
Additionally, the council approved the "Consent for Obligatory Expenditures Outside the Budget and Amendment of the Implementation Agreement Due to Adjustment of Implementation Conditions for the Pallyong Tunnel Private Investment Project."
The council also adopted the following proposals: "Recommendation to Improve the Tax Reduction System for the Agricultural and Fisheries Sector," "Proposal to the Central Government Opposing the Abolition of the National Security Act," "Proposal Condemning the Lee Jae-myung Administration and the Democratic Party of Korea," and "Recommendation to Support the Financial Burden of Private Investment Projects Due to Local Government Integration."
On the same day, Council Chairman Son Taehwa stated, "In the new year, we must focus on restoring livelihoods," adding, "Special efforts are needed to address the difficulties faced by small business owners and the self-employed, so both the council and the executive branch must strengthen their resolve together."
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