Idonsung, Wanjugun Governor Preliminary Candidate, "Expand Agriculture Budget Share to 20%"

Published 22 Apr.2022 17:03(KST)

Proposals Include Raising Farmers' Public Subsidies, Promoting Local Food 2.0, and Efficient Management of Rural Workforce

Idonsung, Wanjugun Governor Preliminary Candidate, "Expand Agriculture Budget Share to 20%"

[Wanju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Lee Don-seung, a preliminary candidate for Wanju County Governor, pledged on the 22nd to expand the agricultural budget share to 20%.

According to the candidate, out of Wanju County's 2022 budget of 805.4 billion KRW, the agricultural budget was 120.6 billion KRW, accounting for only 14.98%. This is an increase of just 0.83 percentage points compared to the 14.15% agricultural budget share in 2014.

In contrast, based on the 2022 general accounts, the agricultural budget shares of major cities and counties are as follows: Jangsu County 27.95%, Jinan County 26.98%, Gochang County 25.42%, Buan County 25.8%, Sunchang County 23.59%, Muju County 22.78%, and Imsil County 21.3%.

Additionally, Namwon City has 21.61%, Gimje City 20.67%, and Jeongeup City 18.89%, all higher than Wanju County.

In response, candidate Lee Don-seung emphasized that during the 8th local government term, he will raise the agricultural budget share to 20% through measures such as farmers' public interest allowances, promotion of Local Food 2.0, multi-purpose rural water development projects, increased support for eco-friendly compost, and efficient management of rural labor and agricultural waste.

He declared that he will significantly expand the scale of the agricultural participatory budget (8 billion KRW in 2022), which was first implemented among local governments nationwide, to establish customized policies for farms.

Candidate Lee Don-seung stated, “For Wanju County to develop into a leading agro-urban complex city in Jeonbuk, it is important to select and concentrate the budget on agriculture centered on local food. Based on the agricultural achievements from the 4th to 7th local government terms, we will lay the foundation for a ‘New Agrotopia’ and a ‘Top Self-sufficient City’ by expanding budget investment in agriculture.”