Gwangjin-gu Allocates 610.1 Billion Won Budget for 2021... Focus on Overcoming COVID-19 Crisis and Stabilizing Residents' Lives

Budget of 610.1 billion KRW allocated, an increase of 51 billion KRW (9.13%) from this year... Priority given to strengthening quarantine system and supporting small business owners... Focus on building a robust quarantine system, supporting small business owners, and citizen-centered projects

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) has prepared the 2021 budget at 610.1 billion KRW, an increase of 51 billion KRW (9.13%) compared to this year.

This is the first time in Gwangjin-gu’s history that the budget has exceeded 600 billion KRW.

The 2021 budget focuses on meticulous quarantine projects to block the spread of COVID-19 and support projects for small business owners and self-employed individuals to revive the local economy.

Additionally, efforts were made to expand new citizen-centered projects that residents can feel in their daily lives and projects that can enhance regional value.

Strengthening the Quarantine System and Ensuring Citizen Safety

First, the district allocated a total of 21.9 billion KRW to establish a meticulous quarantine system and ensure citizen safety to block the spread of COVID-19.

To protect citizens from COVID-19, 11 billion KRW was allocated for quarantine supplies such as masks and hand sanitizers, as well as disaster prevention and recovery costs to prepare for the prolonged pandemic.

In addition, 1.1 billion KRW was allocated for installing intelligent CCTVs, 1 billion KRW for operating the integrated CCTV control center, and 600 million KRW for crime prevention and establishing a safe security environment, making every effort to ensure citizen safety.

Supporting Local Small Businesses and Creating Jobs as Pillars of the Local Economy

To revitalize the local economy, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the district allocated a total of 20.5 billion KRW for new idea projects and others. To promote local consumption, 600 million KRW will be invested in issuing Gwangjin Love Gift Certificates worth 30 billion KRW.

Also, as part of the project to protect local small businesses, 180 million KRW was allocated for the ‘Smart Supermarket Pilot Project’ and 640 million KRW for creating traditional markets where citizens can shop comfortably.

Furthermore, to support citizens in overcoming economic crises, 18.2 billion KRW was allocated for Gwangjin-type jobs and job search support, creating and providing public jobs.

In particular, 1 billion KRW was allocated to prepare specialized job projects supporting the new life preparation of the 50+ generation and to secure the self-sustainability of social economy enterprises.

Building a Gwangjin-type Social Safety Net Without Care Blind Spots

The district will invest a total of 296.6 billion KRW to realize better lives and customized welfare. To guarantee the living rights of vulnerable groups, 83.3 billion KRW was allocated for basic pensions for the elderly, 48.5 billion KRW for basic livelihood security recipients, and 16.5 billion KRW for supporting independent living for the disabled.

To improve the quality of public childcare services, 65.3 billion KRW will be invested in expanding national and public daycare centers and improving the treatment of childcare teachers. Notably, the increase in snack expenses to provide high-quality snacks for childcare children has attracted attention.

Along with this, 170 million KRW was allocated to create a dedicated resting space for the visually impaired, and 350 million KRW to prevent fall accidents among low-income elderly living alone.

Urban Development and Residential Environment Improvement to Enhance Gwangjin’s Regional Value

The district allocated a total budget of 61.9 billion KRW for urban development reflecting changes in local conditions and expanding citizen convenience facilities to enhance regional value. To promote sustainable urban development, 500 million KRW was allocated for the Hwanyang 2 District and Dongil-ro district unit plan reorganization services, and 900 million KRW for the alleyway regeneration projects in Hwayang-dong and Jayang 4-dong.

For improving urban aesthetics, 4.2 billion KRW was allocated for undergrounding projects. To expand convenience facilities for citizens, 2.8 billion KRW was allocated for small-scale senior welfare centers and lifelong learning centers, 600 million KRW was invested in creating a public library at the Gunja-dong complex government building, and 2.6 billion KRW was allocated for building public parking lots to secure parking spaces in low-rise residential areas.

In addition, 28.9 billion KRW was allocated for cleaning administrative services to create a clean city, an increase of 2.5 billion KRW compared to the previous year.

Creating an Educational and Cultural City Gwangjin that Opens Children’s Dreams and Citizens’ Prosperous Lives

The district allocated a total of 28.4 billion KRW for education and culture to support the dreams of children, the future of Gwangjin, and the prosperous lives of citizens. To strengthen the competitiveness of public education and support eco-friendly free meals, 11.1 billion KRW was provided as education expense subsidies, and a new project was launched to provide 300,000 KRW per student as entrance preparation funds for middle and high school entrants.

To enable everyone to enjoy cultural life in daily life, a total of 17.3 billion KRW was allocated for library, cultural facilities, and public institution sports facility usage fee support.

Providing Customized Citizen Services That Can Be Felt in Daily Life

The district made great efforts and considerations to discover citizen-centered projects that help citizens in their daily lives.

To support transportation-vulnerable groups, 380 million KRW was allocated for village bus transportation expenses for children and adolescents aged 6 to 18, and 240 million KRW for citizen life safety insurance and group bicycle insurance, leading the way in ensuring citizen transportation convenience and safety.

Additionally, as part of birth encouragement policies, 200 million KRW was allocated for operating the ‘Gwangjin Mom Taxi’ exclusively for hospital visits by pregnant women, and 140 million KRW for supporting housekeeping helpers for pregnant women.

One hundred million KRW was allocated for the Senior Park project to promote physical activity among the elderly, and 60 million KRW for childcare support funds for families with disabled members, assisting residents’ convenience.

Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “The 2021 budget was prepared with the utmost priority on meticulous quarantine projects to overcome COVID-19 and support for self-employed and small business owners, gathering thoughts and wisdom solely to become the pillar of citizen safety and the stagnant local economy.” He added, “Although we are currently experiencing unimaginable difficulties due to COVID-19, I believe that if the public and private sectors work together and pool wisdom, we can wisely overcome this difficult crisis.”

The 2021 budget will be finalized on December 18 after review and resolution at the 2nd regular meeting of the 240th Gwangjin-gu Council.

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