Seodaemun-gu, 2022 Budget Plan Set at 690.8 Billion Won

Up 5.2 Billion Won (0.8%) Year-on-Year... Focused Investment on Rapid Regional Economic Recovery, Social Safety Net Expansion, and Innovative Future Response

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 15th that it has prepared the 2022 budget proposal at 690.8 billion KRW, an increase of 5.2 billion KRW (0.8%) compared to this year, and submitted it to the district council last week.

Despite the difficult financial conditions due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the district aims to recover the local economy and public livelihood through proactive financial management supporting safety, vitality, and leap forward, while strengthening investments for innovative future responses.

The 2022 Seodaemun-gu budget proposal will focus investments on five major areas: ▲ rapid recovery support for the local economy ▲ expansion of social safety nets ▲ innovative future responses ▲ establishment of resident convenience infrastructure ▲ disaster prevention.

To establish a sustainable quarantine and medical response system as a premise for ‘rapid recovery of the local economy,’ the district allocated a budget of 9.5 billion KRW. This will be used for COVID-19 vaccination and promotion of home treatment.

Additionally, to stimulate local consumption, Seodaemun Love Gift Certificates will be issued, and small business owners will be actively connected with management consulting, unsecured special guarantees, and interest-free loans.

A budget of 21.7 billion KRW was allocated for job support for vulnerable employment groups, expanding public jobs for the disabled and the elderly.

In the ‘expansion of social safety nets’ sector, 74.2 billion KRW was allocated for welfare budgets to protect vulnerable groups, and 182.6 billion KRW for projects tailored to each life cycle.

Furthermore, the district plans to introduce infant allowances, provide ‘First Meeting Use Vouchers’ for babies born in 2022, expand child allowance support from the existing age of 7 to 8 years old, and expand Our Neighborhood Care Centers.

Moreover, the district will continue to support free education and meals, strengthen independence support for children aging out of care, and work to establish a public-centered child and youth care system.

For ‘innovative future responses,’ 5.8 billion KRW was allocated to digital-based non-face-to-face advancement in education, care, and infrastructure sectors.

To bridge the digital divide by age, the target of the Seodaemun-gu type Digital and Human New Deal project, ‘Digital Tutor,’ will be expanded from schools to senior centers.

The district plans to invest 7 billion KRW in carbon-neutral infrastructure projects such as installing shared solar power facilities and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

In the ‘resident convenience infrastructure establishment’ sector, 13.2 billion KRW was allocated for projects including the Cheonnyeon-dong Urban Regeneration Complex Center, children’s creative play spaces, and the construction of a daycare center.

Plans also include creating a cherry blossom path along Hongjecheon Stream, decorating a rose garden, refurbishing Baekryeon Neighborhood Park, and constructing a pedestrian deck between Baekryeon Bridge and Hongje 3 Bridge.

For ‘disaster prevention,’ 14.5 billion KRW will be invested to install security CCTV, manage aging infrastructure, and repair sewer structures.

Mayor Moon Seok-jin of Seodaemun-gu said, “In these difficult times, we will do our best to ensure that residents’ precious taxes are not wasted even a little.” The 2022 budget proposal submitted by the district will be finalized at the district council plenary session on the 21st of next month after review by the district council.

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