Geoje City-Changwon City Request 16 Billion Won National Funding for 'Hope Work Support Project'

On the 10th, Geoje Mayor Byeon Gwang-yong and Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu met with Koo Yoon-chul, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, at the Seoul Government Complex to request national funding support for the 'Hope Work Support Project' in employment crisis areas.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] On the 10th, Byeon Gwang-yong, Mayor of Geoje, and Heo Seong-mu, Mayor of Changwon, met with Koo Yoon-chul, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, at the Seoul Government Complex and requested that the 'Hope Work Support Project' for employment crisis areas be supported with national funds, the mayors announced on the 10th.

Last year, thanks to the government's support projects for employment crisis areas, there were positive signs such as a slight increase in the number of employment insurance subscribers in Geoje City. However, this year, with the added impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, difficulties have intensified as the overall livelihood economy is threatened.

The two mayors emphasized the need for government support to restore the livelihood economy and ensure workers' livelihood safety. They submitted a 'Request for Continued Promotion of the Hope Work Support Project' to the government on the 13th of last month and held a press conference on the 17th at the National Assembly with heads of nine local governments from employment crisis areas to urge support, but the support status remains uncertain.

Mayor Byeon Gwang-yong appealed, "Our citizens, who have suffered long-term difficulties due to the shipbuilding industry's recession, are going through even harder times due to the unexpected crisis caused by COVID-19. Please support the Hope Work Support Project with national funds to empower us to overcome this emergency phase."

Vice Minister Koo Yoon-chul responded, "Although everyone is facing difficult conditions due to COVID-19, we are aware that the situations in the employment crisis areas of Geoje and Changwon are very serious. We will prepare measures to provide support as soon as possible."

Geoje City plans to invest 16 billion won targeting about 2,000 people, including the unemployed and vulnerable groups, to carry out the project if the government supports the Hope Work Support Project funds.

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