Confirmed Seocho-gu Budget for 2022 at 793.8 Billion KRW... 6.31% Increase from Previous Year

In the COVID-19 Era, Preparing for Normalization and Boosting the Livelihood Economy: Resident-Centered Expanded Fiscal Welfare Sector Accounts for 42% of Total Budget with 335.2 Billion KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu announced that it has finalized the 2022 main budget at 793.8 billion KRW through the resolution of the Seocho-gu Council. This is an increase of 47.1 billion KRW (6.31%) compared to this year, with the general account at 755.8 billion KRW and the special account at 38 billion KRW.

The district's budget formulation for next year focuses on preparing for a phased normalization in the COVID-19 era, revitalizing the local economy, and creating a new daily life through resident-centered expanded finances.

The budget size by sector is welfare at 335.2 billion KRW, accounting for 42.23% of the total budget, followed by ▲environment 53.2 billion KRW (6.71%) ▲transportation and logistics 51.8 billion KRW (6.53%) ▲national land and regional development 45.9 billion KRW (5.79%) ▲health 29.9 billion KRW (3.77%) ▲culture and tourism 26.2 billion KRW (3.30%) ▲education 19.8 billion KRW (2.50%).

"Seocho, a safe city protecting residents' lives and property"

First, the district plans to upgrade its screening clinics, which are among the best nationwide, to protect residents' lives and restore healthy daily life in the COVID-19 era. Accordingly, 1.06 billion KRW has been allocated for operating screening clinics and respiratory clinics, and 650 million KRW for infectious disease emergency response, with disaster funds and contingency reserves to be used if necessary.

Additionally, the district will expand safety infrastructure directly related to residents' lives to actively respond to natural disasters such as heatwaves, cold waves, heavy snow, and monsoons. In particular, 1 billion KRW will be invested in installing heating cables on side roads and 800 million KRW for snow removal measures to prepare for sudden heavy snowfall.

"Sharing Seocho for those in need"

The district has allocated 350 million KRW to operate a shelter for abused children to serve as a hopeful refuge for children in need, 400 million KRW for the Developmental Support Center for Disabled Children that provides early treatment for premature babies, disabled, high-risk, and borderline children, and 700 million KRW for the Lifelong Education Center for adults with developmental disabilities after school age.

Also, to create a fair start and eliminate learning gaps in Seocho, 1.4 billion KRW has been allocated for the one-on-one customized program "Seoripul Saem" for elementary students needing care, 400 million KRW for emergency welfare through Care SOS, and 1.5 billion KRW for the construction of the Seocho Regional Self-Support Center to support the independence of low-income vulnerable groups.

The elderly care system has also been strengthened. The district will invest 2.9 billion KRW to support the operation of the Seocho 50 Plus Center and the senior cultural and leisure complex facility, and will also focus on digital literacy education for seniors to prevent their exclusion in the digital era.

"Seocho taking care of residents' daily lives by providing small but certain happiness"

A total of 1 billion KRW has been allocated for support projects for single-person households, such as Seoripul Jugeo123, pet sitters, the solo dining project, and Health 119, to ensure they live safely and happily.

Furthermore, to revitalize the local economy including small business owners, the budget includes ▲2 billion KRW for ultra-fast loans for self-employed individuals ▲4.5 billion KRW for additional issuance of Seocho Love Gift Certificates ▲460 million KRW for supporting small and medium-sized merchants and revitalizing neighborhood markets ▲4.04 billion KRW for local job creation support projects.

"Seocho moving toward the future, preparing for the next 100 years"

The district invested 10.1 billion KRW for long-term expansion of living SOC and infrastructure, including undergrounding of overhead lines and installation of ground distribution equipment (distribution boxes).

Additionally, 50 million KRW was allocated for the Seocho Nabi Plan, including the Gyeongbu arterial road elevation project, 500 million KRW for Seocho-type urban regeneration projects such as the Neungnam Village space improvement project, and 600 million KRW for resident-friendly living safety design projects, aiming to create a systematic urban infrastructure and a beautiful city design for Seocho's future.

In particular, 1.07 billion KRW has been allocated for talent development programs leading the 4th industrial revolution, such as Seocho AI College, 4th industrial software courses, employment capability development education, and the Seocho Blueprint Academy.

Cheon Jeong-wook, Acting Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, "Next year is a time to revitalize the local economy and create a new daily life. We will focus the budget on safety and welfare areas closely related to residents' daily lives and do our best to help residents exhausted by COVID-19 recover their daily lives."

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