Gangdong-gu, 2021 Budget Plan Set at 788.4 Billion Won

Increase of 78.7 billion KRW (11.08%) compared to last year, maximizing available resources in line with government guidelines... Protecting residents' lives through balanced development and public welfare infrastructure amid domestic and international instability via innovation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) has prepared the 2021 budget at 788.4 billion KRW and submitted it to the district council.

This budget is approximately 78.7 billion KRW (11.08%) higher than the 709.7 billion KRW budget of 2020.

Due to the move-in of large-scale reconstruction apartments and the rise in official land prices, local taxes are estimated to increase by 15.5 billion KRW to 139.4 billion KRW compared to this year.

Additionally, the revenue budget for next year was prepared with 73.2 billion KRW from non-tax income, 19.3 billion KRW from local grants, 138.6 billion KRW from adjustment grants, 358.3 billion KRW from subsidies, and 59.5 billion KRW from compensation income.

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said in the district administration speech, “Next year’s budget focuses on restoring the lives of residents to normal amid unstable domestic and international environments and consistently designing the future of Gangdong.” He added, “We will do our best to protect residents through innovation and balanced development.”

Earlier, the district implemented two supplementary budgets totaling 85.5 billion KRW this year to prevent COVID-19 and stabilize the local economy.

Next year, continuing this policy, the 788.4 billion KRW expenditure budget will focus on ▲ balanced regional development ▲ building a welfare infrastructure to protect residents’ lives.

First, believing that the sustainability of a city starts with its people, 10.5 billion KRW has been allocated to promote Gangdong-style urban regeneration. The ‘Gucheonmyeon-ro,’ which was once the center of the old downtown area, will be reborn in 2021 as a cultural street where all social classes can be happy.

By undergrounding power lines, repairing sidewalks and streetlights, Gucheonmyeon-ro will be transformed into a street where people want to stay, restoring its former glory with an impeccable urban landscape. Six specialized spaces will open in the first half of next year, providing opportunities for social enterprises and young startups to challenge themselves and offering residents a place for everyday arts. Another complex facility will begin construction in July next year as an urban regeneration forward base.

Second, the welfare sector, accounting for 53.66% of the total budget with 422.5099 billion KRW, boldly invests in people-centered welfare policies that understand neighbors’ hearts.

First, to expand care services beyond the elderly and disabled to middle-aged people aged 50 and above, care services will be provided centered on the ‘Care SOS Centers’ established in all neighborhoods.

In particular, for single-parent families bearing economic activity and childcare burdens alone, Gangdong-gu will provide 200,000 KRW per month to residents struggling with minor child care under the temporary childcare support ordinance, the first of its kind enacted by Gangdong-gu in Seoul.

Also, the school uniform purchase support policy, first started in Gangdong, will expand to all autonomous districts in Seoul from next year. The education sector, with a budget of 12.84564 billion KRW, will share the budget with the education office and Seoul city to provide 300,000 KRW per new middle and high school student as ‘entrance preparation funds.’ Eco-friendly free meals and free education will be fully implemented for all grades in elementary, middle, and high schools.

Third, preparing for an era of 550,000 population, five complex community centers combining public, office, commercial, and residential functions will be built. The Cheonho 3-dong community center, which started construction this year, aims for completion in 2022 and is accelerating the project. The Seongnae 2-dong and Myeongil 2-dong community centers, built through a donation and leaseback method for financial efficiency, will start construction next year after close public-private practical consultations. The Myeongil 1-dong and Amsa 1-dong community centers, involving public developers such as SH Corporation, will begin design next year and plan to establish a detailed roadmap.

Fourth, urgent reinforcement of infrastructure for education, childcare, and cultural life will focus on community-based construction projects. The book caf? library, with a budget of 2.29075 billion KRW, will open its first branch ‘Dadok Dadok’ this year, with plans to open the 6th branch next year and the 10th by 2022 in each district. The cultural and tourism sector has a budget of 28.52683 billion KRW. The ‘I·Mom Gangdong Childcare City,’ a complex community space for infants and mothers, will also establish 10 branches by 2022 to build sufficient childcare infrastructure.

Additionally, one ‘Our Neighborhood Care Center’ to fill the gap in elementary after-school care and two ‘Kkum Miso’ children’s autonomy centers will be added next year. The ‘District Youth Culture House,’ started this year, will open in Cheonho-dong and Dunchon-dong in 2022. The ‘District Disabled Comprehensive Welfare Center,’ which has completed investment review, is scheduled for completion by 2023. The ‘Haegong Senior Welfare Center,’ expanded to two buildings, will be completed in September next year to support seniors’ happy retirement.

In particular, the ‘Sipjaseong Senior Love Room,’ previously located underground, will be rebuilt as a three-story Gangdong-style welfare space. The Gangil-dong ‘Second District Sports Center’ will begin design next year to become a mecca of community sports where various sports can be experienced and an eco-friendly zero-energy building, aiming for completion in 2024.

Finally, the health sector has a total budget of 19.75742 billion KRW, including 5.83084 billion KRW for national vaccination implementation and 148.04 million KRW for operating the Cheonho Health Center.

Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon said, “The 2021 budget contains Gangdong-gu’s direction and goals to protect residents’ lives amid unprecedented difficulties, maintain the current policy, and prepare for the future.” He added, “I am confident that Gangdong-gu will become a happier community where society circulates positively through balanced growth and distribution by reducing gaps between regions and classes.”

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