Dobong-gu Allocates 669.3 Billion Won Budget for 2021... Completion of Kim Geuntae Memorial Library

In line with government and Seoul City's fiscal expansion efforts, actively responding to the 'COVID coexistence era' with expanded budget allocation to support residents' daily life recovery

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dobong-gu (Mayor Dong-jin Lee) held a 2021 revenue and expenditure budget (draft) press briefing on the 24th at the 10th floor Gansong Hall of Dobong-gu Office.

At the event, metropolitan and local media reporters, the Director of the Planning and Finance Bureau, and the Head of the Planning and Budget Division attended, where Dobong-gu Mayor Dong-jin Lee announced the scale of next year's budget and key projects, followed by a Q&A session.

The budget drafted by the district for next year is 669.3 billion KRW.

This is an all-time high, increasing by 44.2 billion KRW (7.07%) compared to this year's budget, expanding the budget to actively respond to the 'COVID-19 coexistence era' in line with the expansionary fiscal movements of the government and Seoul City, while supporting residents' daily life recovery.

The 2021 budget (draft) especially allocates 10 billion KRW to establish a quarantine system for COVID-19 response, including support for local quarantine jobs, securing quarantine supplies, issuing Dobong Love Mobile Gift Certificates, and providing living stabilization fund loans to revive the local economy.

Additionally, entering the second half of the 7th elected term, bold financial resources were invested to achieve significant results in major priority projects. To revitalize the economy, 26.2 billion KRW will be invested to support jobs and social activities for the elderly and disabled, and to expand opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship education through the establishment of a job fund.

Moreover, 362.6 billion KRW has been allocated to strengthen the social safety net and eliminate welfare blind spots. Budgets for basic pensions, child allowances, and basic living security benefits have been increased, and 300,000 KRW in entrance preparation funds will newly be provided to middle and high school freshmen.

Furthermore, the district plans to invest 42.8 billion KRW to improve aging maintenance infrastructure and residential environments through urban regeneration projects in Dobong 2-dong and Chang 3-dong, and promote regional development by reflecting local characteristics through the Ssangri Dan-gil and Dobong Station History and Culture Street landscape improvement projects.

Also, by May 2021, the Kim Geun-tae Memorial Library will be completed and operated as a complex cultural space with the functions of an archive and museum.

In addition, 20.1 billion KRW has been allocated for a cultural and educational city to revitalize local culture and arts and enhance residents' opportunities to enjoy culture, with annual budgets invested in establishing the Dobong Cultural and Arts Center equipped with a large performance hall and constructing the Gansong Memorial Hall.

Also, 28.4 billion KRW will be invested to build multipurpose sports centers in Dobong-dong and Ssangmun-dong, creating a social atmosphere where residents can enjoy a healthy life and leisure, and approximately 300 new CCTVs will be installed to ensure residents' safety.

Meanwhile, to enhance fiscal transparency and realize grassroots democracy and meaningful participation, the district has been implementing the resident participation budget system for eight years since 2012. Forty-seven projects proposed and selected directly by residents, totaling 1.7 billion KRW, have been included in the budget, and next year projects such as shared kitchens and walkable school routes will be implemented.

At the press briefing, Dobong-gu Mayor Dong-jin Lee stated, “The 2021 budget formulation focused on livelihoods and safety due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, and in response to the expansionary budget stance of the government and Seoul City, the budget increased by about 7% compared to 2020. We have efficiently allocated resources through selection and concentration to actively respond to the 'COVID-19 coexistence era' in 2021 and to fulfill promises with residents in the second half of the 7th elected term.”

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