Eunpyeong-gu Injects Emergency Budget of 18.2 Billion Won to Overcome COVID-19 Crisis for Unemployed and Others

Strengthening Social Safety Nets by Expanding Job Programs to Revitalize Local Economy...Focused Support for Small Business Sectors Affected and Vulnerable Groups in Blind Spots...Improving Public Health Center Facilities and Securing Quarantine Funds in Preparation for Prolonged COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) submitted the first supplementary budget proposal totaling 18.2 billion KRW to the district council on the 12th, aiming to proactively implement job projects to support local small business owners and others struggling due to COVID-19, thereby laying the groundwork for regional economic recovery.

First, to address the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 recession affecting youth, middle-aged, and vulnerable groups facing unemployment and business closures, a total of 5.4 billion KRW in emergency funds will be invested to provide approximately 750 jobs within the district. This includes 1.2 billion KRW for 15 fields of COVID-19 emergency jobs, 1.5 billion KRW to support disinfection jobs at public facilities such as schools, 1.8 billion KRW for personnel expenses including assistant teachers at daycare centers, and 900 million KRW for home visits to elderly living alone and families with disabled children.

Additionally, to support small business owners for early regional economic recovery, Eunpyeong-gu and commercial banks will each contribute 500 million KRW to the Credit Guarantee Foundation, enabling 12 billion KRW in loans to small and medium-sized enterprises lacking collateral. A total of 1 billion KRW has been allocated, including 200 million KRW for discount subsidies on Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates and 300 million KRW for improvements to aging traditional market facilities, aiming to alleviate short-term financial difficulties of local small businesses, stimulate local consumption, and contribute to creating a stable business environment.

Furthermore, as part of livelihood economic support measures for COVID-19 affected industries and vulnerable groups, a total of 10.2 billion KRW will be invested, including 10 billion KRW for disaster relief funds prepared through the Seoul Metropolitan Government and autonomous district cooperative project, and 200 million KRW for living support expenses for COVID-19 quarantined individuals. This aims to identify and support small business owners and vulnerable groups facing management and livelihood crises as well as those in blind spots of government support.

In the field of quarantine measures responding to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, 600 million KRW has been allocated, including 400 million KRW to support facial recognition temperature measurement devices at daycare centers and 200 million KRW for health center facility improvements and purchase of quarantine supplies, to strengthen COVID-19 prevention and response activities.

Finally, policy projects reflected in this supplementary budget include 300 million KRW for the establishment of Sinsagogae Station and the formulation of a comprehensive transportation plan to improve Eunpyeong-gu’s traffic environment, and 400 million KRW for floor mat support to prevent safety accidents at daycare centers, totaling 900 million KRW.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, stated, “This first supplementary budget proposal was decided to provide some support to small business owners and vulnerable residents who are struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. We will make every effort to promptly execute the budget as soon as the district council’s approval is obtained, ensuring timely support to our residents.”

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