Seoul's 25 District Mayors to Return 30% of Their Salaries for Four Months Starting This Month

Kim Young-jong, Jongno District Mayor, announcing the 'Urgent Financial Support Appeal' at Seoul City Hall on the 17th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The 25 district mayors belonging to the Seoul Metropolitan Council of District Mayors (Chairman Kim Young-jong, Mayor of Jongno-gu) have agreed to return 30% of their monthly salaries for four months starting this month to be used for overcoming COVID-19.

This decision was made to actively participate in the salary return movement of government officials at the ministerial level, including the President, which was decided at the Cabinet Ministers Workshop chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on March 21.

As the economic activity contraction caused by COVID-19 prolongs, the district mayors who meet residents directly experiencing crises such as small business owners and self-employed individuals are facing indescribable concerns.

In particular, recognizing that more administrative power and national effort are needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area, including domestic quarantine activities, treatment of confirmed patients, and management of patients entering from abroad, they decided to participate in the salary return movement.

Additionally, the council shared the idea that instead of uniformly canceling cultural events, selectively holding performances using online platforms like the Berlin Philharmonic’s Digital Concert Hall or MBC’s Bangguseok Concert could help those working in the cultural and arts sectors.

They also stated that feasible projects to overcome the economic crisis will be actively implemented, and projects requiring cooperation will be proposed to the central government and Seoul city.

Kim Young-jong, Mayor of Jongno-gu and Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council of District Mayors, said, “In this emergency disaster situation closely related to the lives, bodies, and livelihoods of the people, the council shares the will to participate in quarantine disinfection, epidemiological investigations, medical support, and social distancing. We will actively participate not only in urgent livelihood support to overcome the economic crisis but also in government and Seoul city’s crisis recovery policies such as protecting vulnerable groups and promoting consumption through additional discounts on Seoul Love Gift Certificates.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.