Launch of the 'Geonjeonjaejeong TF' for Seoul's Autonomous Districts

Taking Steps to Establish Concrete and Practical Sound Fiscal Management Measures

Seoul Metropolitan Government and District Mayors' Council, Follow-up to the Nation's First Announced ‘Joint Declaration on Sound Fiscal Management’

Initiating Discussions on Concrete Implementation Plans for the ‘Joint Declaration on Sound Fiscal Management’ to Proactively Respond to Fiscal Crisis

25 Autonomous Districts and Seoul Metropolitan Government to Cooperate to Establish a Foundation for Sound Fiscal Management

The Seoul Metropolitan Government District Mayors' Council officially launched the ‘Sound Fiscal Management Autonomous District TF’ on August 9 and began full-scale operations.

As part of the follow-up measures to the ‘Joint Declaration on Sound Fiscal Management’?which was announced on July 12 when Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul and the district mayors gathered to express strong commitment and pledge efforts toward sound fiscal management?the ‘Sound Fiscal Management Autonomous District TF’ was established.

Seoul Metropolitan Government - District Mayors' Council Joint Declaration on Sound Fiscal Management (`23.7.12.)

① Efforts for rational allocation of financial resources ② Strengthening self-help efforts to expand the revenue base ③ Enhancing fiscal soundness by reducing unnecessary and excessive expenditures ④ Mutual cooperation to establish sound fiscal management

The ‘Sound Fiscal Management Autonomous District TF,’ involving 25 autonomous districts and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, plans to share diverse ideas and best practices going forward, and develop concrete and effective measures to realize the ‘Joint Declaration on Sound Fiscal Management.’

At the first meeting held after the launch ceremony, agenda items proposed for TF discussion included measures to improve the efficiency and equity of cash welfare expenditures and the establishment of a pre-consultation system for the introduction or modification of social security programs.

The proposed agenda items will be further detailed through TF meetings by gathering opinions from autonomous districts and specialized institutions.

The Council emphasized once again at the TF launch ceremony that sound fiscal management is not simply about reducing expenditures but about preventing fiscal leakage and allocating budgets efficiently to necessary projects, and stated that the TF will operate in line with this direction.

In particular, in accordance with the central government’s policy direction, it is expected that funds saved through the reorganization of less effective cash welfare programs will be allocated to projects requiring additional budgets to reduce welfare disparities among autonomous districts.

To this end, the TF is expected to continue discussions to identify various tasks such as restructuring cash welfare programs and addressing equity issues between autonomous districts, including the equalization of veterans’ honor allowances, and to find solutions through efficient budget allocation.

Chairman Jeong Mun-heon of the District Mayors' Council stated, “As the anticipated decline in tax revenue has become a reality, sound fiscal management is no longer a ‘choice’ but a ‘necessity.’ Starting with the joint declaration, as the first step toward sound fiscal management, the 25 autonomous districts and the Seoul Metropolitan Government will cooperate closely, and the District Mayors' Council will take the lead to ensure that effective fiscal soundness measures are established.”

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