[Interview] Park Junhee, Gwanak-gu Mayor: "Overcoming the COVID Crisis Based on Livelihood, Innovation, and Communication"

Budget of 905.6 Billion KRW Confirmed for 2022, Focus on Strengthening Economy and Social Safety Nets to Reduce Gaps... Projects to Achieve Stable Results and Improve Residents' Happiness Index Based on Change and Innovation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “During the past three and a half years of the 7th elected Gwanak-gu administration, remarkable achievements have been made. Next year, we will devote all our capabilities to producing results that residents can clearly feel, overcoming the COVID-19 crisis based on livelihood, innovation, and communication.”

Gwanak-gu Mayor Junhee Park announced the 2022 administrative operation policy as follows.

On the 16th of last month, Gwanak-gu finalized the 2022 main budget at 905.6 billion KRW. This is an increase of 110.35 billion KRW, or 13.9%, compared to last year. Through expansionary fiscal management that increases financial expenditure, the focus is on revitalizing the local economy, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening the social safety net, expanding investment in resident convenience facilities, and improving residents’ happiness index.

Mayor Park said, “The core of the 2022 financial operation is building a strong economy, strengthening the social safety net to reduce disparities, improving quality of life through safety, culture, and education services, and creating a pleasant and clean living environment.”

First, to quickly recover the local economy, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, 21.2 billion KRW was allocated, an 89% increase compared to last year. The Gwanak S Valley startup ecosystem will be actively nurtured by expanding the ‘Startup Support Fund’ and ‘Startup Support Facilities’ and increasing support funds for the ‘Startup Scale-up Commercialization Project.’

Specialized representative commercial districts will be created targeting 10 major alleyway shopping areas, focusing support on small business owners and alleyway commercial districts facing difficulties through projects such as the ‘Starlight Sinsari Commercial District Renaissance Project’ centered on Byeolbitnaerincheon Stream and the expanded issuance of Gwanak Love Gift Certificates, supplying sustainable strength and vitality. Additionally, through the Gang Gam-chan Gwanak-type livelihood stabilization job project to overcome the employment crisis, 1,000 high-quality public jobs tailored to residents’ needs will be created to serve as a support for residents affected by business closures and unemployment.

To overcome the COVID-19 crisis and realize a warm Gwanak that residents can feel, 500.9 billion KRW, accounting for 55.3% of the total budget, is allocated to the social welfare sector. This includes strengthening the social safety net and establishing a detailed welfare system through customized housing welfare policies, local health care projects, and expansion of national and public daycare centers.

Mayor Park emphasized building a social safety net to reduce disparities, saying, “We will systematically operate the ‘Gwanak Family Happiness Center’ and the ‘Gang Gam-chan Daycare Center,’ which opened last year, and carefully ensure the timely completion of the ‘Gwanak-gu Disabled Center’ currently under construction and the ‘Senior Citizens’ Hall and 50 Plus Center’ scheduled to begin construction this year.”

The health and hygiene sector, aimed at proactive COVID-19 response and establishing a quarantine system where residents can live safely anytime and anywhere, was allocated 27.1 billion KRW, a 75% increase compared to last year. Thorough resident health management will be ensured through COVID-19 vaccination costs, operation of screening clinics, and disinfection management of multi-use facilities.

Efforts will focus on creating a pedestrian-centered traffic environment and drastically improving inconveniences in living hubs that have caused long-term discomfort to residents. A total of 44.1 billion KRW will be invested in road and traffic sectors such as maintenance and repair of aging alleyways and construction of an underground public parking lot at Sangdo Neighborhood Park. Additionally, 27.6 billion KRW will be invested in regional development sectors including support for relocating utility poles causing traffic inconvenience, expansion and maintenance of sewage facilities, and ecological stream management of Byeolbitnaerincheon Stream to create a pleasant and safe residential welfare environment.

In particular, considering the regional characteristic that single-person households accounted for about 60% of all households as of September 2021, 40 direct support projects for single-person households were selected, and 7 billion KRW will be invested to foster a happier Gwanak where diverse families live together harmoniously.

Mayor Junhee Park stated, “I believe there have been many changes and developments in Gwanak-gu during the 7th elected administration. This year as well, we will raise residents’ quality of life and happiness index through policies that can be felt in daily life, creating a Gwanak-gu where all residents live happily.”

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