Hwasun-gun Submits 53.7 Billion Won Budget Proposal to County Council

[Hwasun=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Young-gyun] Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gu Chung-gon) submitted the third supplementary budget proposal worth 53.7 billion KRW to the county council (Chairman Choi Ki-cheon) on the 7th.

According to the county on the 8th, the third supplementary budget focuses on strengthening COVID-19 response measures and revitalizing the local economy amid the recent spread of the virus.

Additionally, budgets that could not be executed due to prolonged COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines were cut and reallocated to industrial development sectors in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era.

The total size of the third supplementary budget is 743.3 billion KRW, an increase of 53.7 billion KRW (7.8%) compared to the second supplementary budget.

The general account increased by 49.5 billion KRW (8.1%) to 659.4 billion KRW, and public enterprises and other special accounts increased by 4.2 billion KRW (5.3%) to 83.9 billion KRW.

To revive the local economy depressed by COVID-19, the county allocated 6.5 billion KRW to the Hope Job Project (jobs for vulnerable groups) and 200 million KRW to four projects including the Youth Employment Incentive Project (supporting employment and entrepreneurship for local youth).

Funds necessary for strengthening COVID-19 prevention and response were also secured.

Seven hundred million KRW was allocated for purchasing COVID-19 prevention supplies, establishing a non-contact specimen collection system, and local quarantine management, and 200 million KRW for influenza vaccination costs in preparation for simultaneous outbreaks of COVID-19 and flu.

The budget that could not be used due to COVID-19 was significantly cut to secure resources for the supplementary budget.

A total of 4 billion KRW was cut from budgets for local festivals and cultural events canceled due to prolonged COVID-19, and domestic and overseas training for public officials. Most of the cut budget was reallocated to industrial development sectors such as the creation of the ‘Biopharmaceutical Second Industrial Complex,’ which will serve as a foundation for future local industries.

The county council also cut its own budget by 100 million KRW considering the difficult local economic conditions and allocated it as resources for local youth job projects.

Governor Gu Chung-gon said, “I am very grateful that the council actively participated in budget formulation to revitalize the local economy and strengthen COVID-19 response by first cutting the council’s budget.” He added, “We will continue to cooperate closely with the council to do our best to revitalize the local economy and overcome COVID-19.”

This supplementary budget proposal will be submitted to the Hwasun-gun council’s extraordinary session starting on the 14th and will be approved at the plenary session on the 25th.

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