Gwangjin District Council Adjourns After Approving Supplementary Budget Including Heating Cost Support

Original Approval of the 2023 First Supplemental Budget

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Gwangjin-gu Council (Chairman Chu Yoon-gu) closed the 259th extraordinary session on the 17th after the 3rd plenary session, concluding a 9-day schedule.

The council began the session on the 9th with an opening address by Chairman Chu Yoon-gu. On the 10th, standing committees reviewed agenda items such as ordinances and consent proposals. On the 13th and 14th, joint meetings were held to receive reports on major district administration tasks for this year and to review the effectiveness and feasibility of key projects.

During the two-day Special Budget and Accounts Committee meetings on the 15th and 16th, in-depth deliberations were conducted on the 2023 First Supplemental Budget and the fund operation plan amendment, resulting in final approval of the original proposals.

This supplemental budget totals 6.6 billion KRW, including an additional revenue budget of 5.6 billion KRW and 1 billion KRW secured through expenditure restructuring, representing a 0.72% increase compared to the existing budget.

Key allocations include ▲3.2 billion KRW for small business support projects ▲500 million KRW for vulnerable group support projects ▲78 million KRW for projects providing vitality to residents’ lives ▲1.875 billion KRW for expanding public daycare centers and urban development-related service projects.

During the 2nd and 3rd plenary sessions, council members conducted district administration questions and 5-minute free speeches. Councilor Jang Gil-cheon pointed out issues arising during the promotion of the Moa Town project in Jayang 4-dong and urged the preparation of measures to resolve resident conflicts.

Speakers for the 5-minute free speeches included Councilors Kim Sang-hee, Kim Sang-bae, Jeon Eun-hye, Go Sang-soon, and Kim Mi-young. First, Councilor Kim Sang-hee proposed operating a ‘Family Orchestra’ that all age groups can participate in and establishing specialized courses within local cultural facilities. Next, Councilor Kim Sang-bae advocated for constructive use of political party banners to ensure a pleasant living environment and pedestrian safety. Councilor Jeon Eun-hye requested the preparation of measures that protect residents’ safety while addressing the difficulties of ordinary citizens in light of strengthened penalties for illegal buildings. Councilor Go Sang-soon urged prioritizing long-term and stable structural remedies over direct financial support in economic policies for public welfare, such as heating cost assistance.

Finally, Councilor Kim Mi-young suggested creating an organizational culture where staff can focus on their original duties by implementing personnel management measures to cope with temporary workload surges, such as emergency heating cost support.

The 259th extraordinary session, conducted over nine days, concluded on the 17th with the 3rd plenary session, passing all referred agenda items including ordinances, consent proposals, and the 2023 First Supplemental Budget.

Among the 10 ordinances passed during this session, five were initiated by council members: ▲Basic Ordinance of the Gwangjin-gu Council, Seoul Special City (Councilor Heo Eun) ▲Ordinance on Support for Dong Cultural Events in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City (Councilor Jang Gil-cheon) ▲Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on Promotion of Lifelong Education in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City (Councilor Heo Eun) ▲Ordinance on Creation and Support of Specialized Streets in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City (Councilor Kim Mi-young) ▲Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on Reducing the Use of Disposable Products in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Special City (Councilor Go Sang-soon), all of which were approved as originally proposed.

At the close of the session, Chairman Chu Yoon-gu expressed gratitude for the supplemental budget for the Shinhyang Villa redevelopment-related service project and urged thorough efforts for all projects to be promoted this year.

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