Han Byung-do Proposes 'Hometown Love Donation Act'... "Expecting Revitalization of Local Economy"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Han Byung-do, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 23rd that he has taken the lead in proposing the "Act on Hometown Love Donations," which allows people who have left their hometowns to make donations to their hometown local governments. The purpose is to promote balanced regional development and revitalize the local economy.

According to the bill, donations to hometowns will help secure finances for local governments struggling with population decline and other difficulties, and by providing return gifts to donors, it aims to promote the consumption of locally produced goods. The return gifts are limited to within 30% of the donation amount. Donors can contribute any desired amount not only to the local government where they reside but also to other local governments.

Representative Han explained, "Return gifts are limited to items such as local gift certificates, admission tickets to local tourist attractions, or locally produced agricultural, livestock, and marine products, so that the effect of revitalizing the local economy through increased visits to hometowns can also be realized."

Institutional measures to prevent forced fundraising have been strengthened. Local governments that engage in illegal fundraising by mobilizing public officials will be restricted from collecting and receiving donations for a certain period, and violations will be publicly announced.

Additionally, guidance, supervision, and corrective recommendation mechanisms for the operation of the hometown love donation system by local governments have been established. In particular, local governments that violate the return gift regulations by providing inappropriate items such as cash or precious metals will be required to fully refund the donations to the donors.

Representative Han emphasized, "It is essential to create a virtuous cycle structure where talents who grew up in the region can contribute to their hometowns where they were born and raised," and added, "Citizens participating in this system will help support the financially strained local governments and contribute to revitalizing the local economy."

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