Next Year's Budget Includes 63 National Idea Projects and 119.9 Billion Won

Number of Projects Increased by 66%, Amount Increased by 13%

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced on the 3rd that a total of 63 projects amounting to 119.9 billion KRW were reflected in next year's budget proposal as part of the 국민참여예산 (People's Participation Budget) projects. This represents an increase of 25 projects (66%) and 14.2 billion KRW (13%) compared to this year (38 projects, 105.7 billion KRW).

The 국민참여예산 is a system where citizens participate in the proposal and discussion process of budget projects. Through public proposals (a total of 1,164 cases) and public discussions on major social issues, projects were identified and then concretized (153 projects, 532.3 billion KRW) after eligibility reviews by each ministry and project maturation processes. The final government plan was prepared through discussions and preference voting on candidate projects by the 국민참여예산 citizen participation group and budget office reviews.

Next year's 국민참여예산 actively reflects citizen proposals aimed at supporting vulnerable groups and revitalizing the national economy, focusing on life-related projects such as safety and the environment.

Many life-related projects (29 projects, 40 billion KRW) that address social concerns such as child-safe green forest creation, response to digital sex crimes, establishment of forest and marine surveillance systems using drones, and enhancement of buried cultural heritage information to alleviate public land use inconveniences were included.

Budgets of 20.1 billion KRW were also allocated to various projects (17 projects) that can realize community development and social values, such as operating fixed-term teachers in juvenile detention centers, social horticulture programs for socially disadvantaged groups, and housing support for foreign female workers in agriculture, supporting youth and low-income groups. Additionally, a budget of 59.8 billion KRW was allocated for economic revitalization (17 projects) including hosting AI championships, supporting patent-based technology startups by senior retired personnel, and strengthening corporate competitiveness.

The 2021 budget proposal, including 국민참여예산 projects, is planned to be submitted to the National Assembly on the 3rd. The Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to strengthen monitoring of each ministry’s preparation for project execution, including compliance with preliminary procedures and establishment of execution plans.

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