Gangbuk-gu, 2021 Budget Set at 737.9 Billion Won... Focus on Economic Revitalization to Overcome COVID-19

Budget of 737.9 billion won, a 6.5% increase from 2020, the largest ever... Finalized at the December 16 plenary session after Gangbuk-gu Council standing and budget committees

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Gyeom-su) has prepared the largest-ever budget of 737.9 billion KRW for 2021. This amount is a 6.5% increase compared to this year's 692.6 billion KRW, with the general account increasing by 44.8 billion KRW (6.6%) and the special account by 0.5 billion KRW (3.9%).

The district stated that it focused on enhancing residents' welfare, expanding living SOC, and revitalizing the local economy hit by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The welfare budget, accounting for 54% of the total 2021 budget, is 398.85 billion KRW. A new allocation of 0.75 billion KRW is assigned to the Care SOS Center project to strengthen the welfare safety net.

Additionally, 151.22 billion KRW will be spent on basic pension payments, and 54.04 billion KRW will support livelihood benefits under the National Basic Livelihood Security program.

Moreover, the district plans to provide various welfare services to residents, including infant care fees, support for activities for the disabled, and senior job programs.

In the environmental sector aimed at creating a pleasant Gangbuk, 43.55 billion KRW will be invested. This will be used for maintenance projects such as repairing four aging sewage pipelines and eight rectangular drainage areas within the region.

The district also plans to develop representative forest recreation spots in Seoul by creating Ui-ryeong Central Park, Ui-ryeong Dirt Path Linear Park, and Ui-dong Family Camping Site.

The culture and tourism sector, with a budget of 23.12 billion KRW, focuses on constructing cultural and artistic facilities for residents, including remodeling the main auditorium of Gangbuk Culture and Arts Center, building a multipurpose small theater in Gangbuk-gu, the Gangbuk-gu Comprehensive Sports Center, and the Celadon Kiln Experience Center.

The education sector budget is 8.34 billion KRW. This will be used for projects that create an environment where children and youth can pursue their dreams, such as operating the Career and Vocational Experience Support Center, supporting free high school education, providing entrance preparation funds for middle and high schools, and supporting eco-friendly free school meals.

The district will utilize 5.51 billion KRW in the industry, small and medium enterprises, and energy sectors. To invigorate the local economy, it plans to issue Gangbuk Love Gift Certificates worth 20 billion KRW for local small business owners and support modernization projects for traditional market facilities.

The public order and safety sector budget is 3.09 billion KRW, covering river facility maintenance, operation and management of rainwater pumping stations, and other activities. The budget will also be used to operate a dedicated team for self-quarantine management to efficiently prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Urban regeneration projects aimed at improving residential environments and infrastructure have been allocated 12.72 billion KRW. Of this, 10.01 billion KRW will be used for urban regeneration revitalization projects in Suyu 1-dong and Insu-dong, and a total of 0.23 billion KRW will be spent on building online content for urban planning information and an integrated urban regeneration portal system.

Additionally, 67.13 billion KRW is allocated to general public administration, 14.52 billion KRW to health sectors conducting national vaccination programs, and 19.96 billion KRW to transportation and logistics sectors for purposes such as securing parking spaces and maintaining security lighting.

Furthermore, the participatory budgeting program, where residents participate in the budget formulation process to propose and decide on projects, has allocated 0.509 billion KRW for 10 projects, including the establishment of unmanned library services.

This budget proposal will be finalized at the plenary session on December 16 after deliberations by the Gangbuk-gu Council's standing committee and budget and accounts committee starting November 23.

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “The 2021 budget was carefully prepared to improve the quality of life for residents going through difficult times due to COVID-19 and to stabilize the local economy. We will do our best to manage the increased budget compared to last year so that it is executed timely and appropriately.”

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