Gangdong-gu, 2021 Budget Set at 788.4 Billion Won

Increase of 78.7 billion KRW (11.08%) YoY, Maximizing Available Resources in Line with Government Guidelines... Amid Domestic and External Instability ▲ Balanced Development through Innovation ▲ Protecting Residents' Lives with Public Welfare Infrastructure

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) has set the 2021 budget at 788.4 billion KRW.

This is an increase of approximately 78.7 billion KRW (11.08%) compared to the 709.7 billion KRW budget of 2020.

Local taxes are estimated at 139.4 billion KRW, an increase of 15.5 billion KRW from this year, due to the move-in of large-scale reconstructed apartments and the rise in official land prices.

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

In 2021, while continuing the policy direction to stabilize quarantine and the local economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the expenditure budget of 788.4 billion KRW was focused on ▲ balanced regional development ▲ building welfare infrastructure to protect residents' lives.

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

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

Second, the welfare sector, accounting for 422.6 billion KRW or 53.66% of the total budget, boldly invested in people-centered welfare policies that understand the hearts of neighbors.

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 the burden of economic activity and child-rearing 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 12.8 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 acceptance method to improve financial efficiency, will begin construction next year following close public-private practical consultations. The Myeongil 1-dong and Amsa 1-dong community centers, involving public developers such as SH Corporation, will start design next year and 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 2.2 billion KRW, started with the first branch ‘Dadok Dadok’ opening this year, plans to open the 6th branch next year and 10 branches by 2022 across different zones. 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 ‘Gangdong Youth Culture House’, started construction this year, will open in Cheonho-dong and Dunchon-dong in 2022. The ‘Gangdong 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 the happy old age of seniors.

In particular, the ‘Sipjaseong Senior Love Room’, previously located underground, will be rebuilt as a three-story Gangdong-style welfare space. The Gangil-dong ‘2nd Community Sports Center’ will start 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 budget totals 19.8 billion KRW, including 5.8 billion KRW for national vaccination implementation and 100 million KRW for operating the Cheonho Health Center.

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “The 2021 budget reflects Gangdong-gu’s direction and goals to protect residents’ lives amid unprecedented difficulties, maintain the current policy direction, and prepare for the future,” adding, “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 social classes.”

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