Suncheon City Sets Record High for Next Year's National Budget Allocation... 555.3 Billion Won

570 Billion KRW Increase Compared to Previous Year, Momentum Builds for Key Projects in the 7th Local Government Term

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City (Mayor Heo Seok) announced on the 7th that it secured a government budget of 555.3 billion won for next year, an increase of 57 billion won from this year's 498.3 billion won, giving momentum to major pending projects.

The secured national treasury budget this time includes a total of 555.3 billion won, comprising 78 general pending projects worth 138.1 billion won, 73 projects under the National Balanced Special Account worth 58.2 billion won, 3 Living SOC projects worth 9.2 billion won, SOC projects for infrastructure expansion worth 70.5 billion won, and annual/repetitive projects in social welfare and agriculture sectors worth 279.3 billion won.

Recognizing the difficult situation unlike any other due to COVID-19, after the government proposal was submitted to the National Assembly, Mayor Heo Seok led efforts by frequently visiting central government departments, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and the National Assembly to explain the necessity and urgency of projects that were not reflected for additional funding. Together with local assembly members So Byeong-cheol and Seo Dong-yong, these efforts resulted in securing an additional 18.9 billion won for 7 projects.

The major projects with increased funding by the National Assembly include ▲20 billion won for supporting the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo, ▲400 million won for supporting the 2021 NEXPO in Suncheon, ▲456 million won for expanding the Suncheon City municipal solid waste landfill, ▲140 million won for sewer pipe maintenance in Seomyeon Seonpyeong Village, ▲950 million won for the Suncheon landslide restoration project, ▲11 billion won for the Gwangju Songjeong~Suncheon electrification project, and ▲4 billion won for the construction of the national highway between Hwasun Dong-myeon and Suncheon Songgwang, totaling 18.9 billion won.

Major pending projects include ▲2 billion won for establishing the Magnesium Commercialization Support Center, ▲5 billion won for installing a rainwater retention facility in Gagok District, ▲3.5 billion won for building the Southern Coast Fermented Food Industrialization Support Center, ▲500 million won for maintenance of the main collector pipe around Waryong Reservoir, ▲1.4 billion won for creating the Suncheonman Mudflat Fishermen's Ten-ri Trail, ▲4 billion won for the Waon Port Fishing Village New Deal 300 project, ▲600 million won for restoring the damaged Cheonhagu area, and ▲200 million won for restoring the Isacheon wetland, enabling further acceleration of major pending projects based on the ecological economy during the 7th elected term.

Major projects under the National Balanced Development Special Account include ▲3 billion won for constructing the Shindae Library, ▲1.5 billion won for building the Suncheon Training (Multipurpose Gymnasium), ▲800 million won for repair and maintenance of reservoirs in cities and counties, ▲3 billion won for maintenance of the Haeryongcheon local stream, ▲250 million won for detailed design costs for constructing the Jeonnam-Suncheon Biosphere Reserve Management Center, ▲700 million won for creating the Suncheon Yonggyesan Healing Forest, ▲3 billion won for establishing the Suncheon Wood Culture Experience Center, ▲3.1 billion won for rural local water supply facility construction, and ▲550 million won for creating the Four Seasons Garden of the Suncheonman National Garden, allowing smooth progress of projects aimed at balanced urban development and improving citizens' quality of life.

Living SOC complex projects include ▲2.2 billion won for building a complex platform in the Ocheon District (retention basin), ▲6.3 billion won for creating the Old Downtown Cultural Station, and ▲700 million won for remodeling the Women's Cultural Center, giving momentum to expanding cultural infrastructure facilities that “any citizen can comfortably enjoy anywhere.”

Since applying for the national treasury budget for next year, Suncheon City has continuously visited Jeollanam-do, central government departments, and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, led by department heads and division chiefs, to explain projects and build consensus. During the Ministry of Strategy and Finance review stage, Vice Mayor Lim Chae-young led visits to the budget department with working-level heads to explain and supplement project plans, actively pursuing national funding acquisition activities.

In particular, Mayor Heo Seok made all-out efforts to secure national treasury budgets through extensive activities including meetings with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Koo Yoon-chul, acquaintances and local figures related to Suncheon, and members of the National Assembly.

Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon said, “Despite the difficult situation of securing government budgets due to COVID-19, by moving one step ahead of the government budget formulation schedule and responding strategically, we were able to persuade the National Assembly and government and achieve visible results. Especially, the activities of Assembly members So Byeong-cheol and Seo Dong-yong had a great impact.” He added, “We will carry out pending projects without delay to recover the local economy stagnated by COVID-19 and further enhance the brand value as one of the three major cities in Honam.”

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