[2025 Seoul City Budget] Citizen Health Budget Draws Attention... Increased Support for Hangang Runner and Loss Compensation for Municipal Hospitals

Budget of 145.7 Billion KRW for Citizen Health
"Top Priority in Seoul City Administration, Health"
Sports Stations at Ttukseom and Munjeong Stations

A budget of approximately 140 billion KRW will be invested to create a healthy and vibrant Seoul. 'Crews' and station operations for citizens who enjoy running around the Han River will be activated, and losses will be subsidized to stabilize the operation of municipal hospitals amid a medical crisis.

Seoul City announced the 2025 budget plan containing these details on the 31st. Among the total budget of 48.0407 trillion KRW, a notable allocation is 145.7 billion KRW for citizen health, including running and walking. Seoul City stated, "In 2025, when the population aged 64 and over is expected to exceed 20%, entering a super-aged society, the top priority of Seoul's administration is the health of its citizens," adding, "We will focus investment on creating a healthy city Seoul where anyone can experience 'Unse-gwon' and exercise comfortably 365 days a year."

A budget will be allocated to create environments for exercise centered around Seoul’s natural settings such as the Han River and Namsan. Thirty-two billion KRW will be invested to expand 'Runner Stations' where runners along the Han River can conveniently store items or change clothes. Following the currently operating Yeouinaru station, additional convenience facilities such as changing rooms and lockers will be established at 10 more stations next year. Additionally, Ttukseom Station will have a 'Fitness Station,' and Munjeong Station will feature a 'Sports Garden.'

Health festivals and programs involving citizen participation will also be expanded. The 'Take It Easy Han River Triathlon Festival,' held for the first time this year, will be held twice next year with a budget of 1.5 billion KRW, extending the event period from two to three days and increasing the number of participants. The '7979 Seoul Running Crew' program, where Seoul citizens can freely meet and run night courses every Thursday night, will also begin, with about 400 million KRW allocated.

Ten streams in Seoul will be transformed into rest and leisure spaces to create an environment where citizens can manage their health in daily life. Budgets of 7.6 billion KRW, 7.4 billion KRW, and 1.4 billion KRW have been allocated respectively to develop infrastructure for walking and exercising, such as the Jamsugyo pedestrian bridge, Namsan Sky Forest Trail, and World Cup Park’s 2nd Park Golf Course.

Beyond exercise, attention has also been paid to the medical field so that citizens can take care of their health. A subsidy of 75.7 billion KRW will be provided to municipal hospitals playing a public role amid the so-called 'medical crisis' to ensure stable operation. Seoul City's 'Million Seller' policy, the Wrist Doctor 9988 project, expects an increase in participants and has allocated 30.4 billion KRW.

Investing in Care and Safety to Ensure No Citizen is Left Behind

A dense public care system will be established so that anyone can receive sufficient care services whenever they want. A social service support center will be set up at the Seoul Welfare Foundation to improve the quality of private care services, and 10.2 billion KRW has been allocated to support a specialized care call center.

To realize 'Loneliness-Free Seoul (Wae-Op-Seo),' a policy recently announced by Mayor Oh Se-hoon for isolated and reclusive citizens, 36.2 billion KRW will be spent. This initiative links 46 types of crisis information such as gas and electricity with various administrative data to proactively identify isolated and reclusive households. It also utilizes convenience stores and laundromats, frequently used by these households, as contact points for support applications.

To add stability and vitality to senior life, the budget for senior re-education programs such as the 'Back to School 7th Grade Classroom' and quality meal support has been expanded. A total of 272.3 billion KRW has been allocated to support private and public jobs for seniors, and 44.1 billion KRW has been set aside for detailed care such as the 'Seoul Bapsang' project, which prepares meals in bulk and delivers lunch boxes to low-income seniors.

Investment will also focus on safe and secure daily life. With a budget of 4.5 billion KRW, 100,000 'Help Me' safety bells and 10,000 safety warning lights will be distributed to women and single-person businesses. The 'Help Me' device is equipped with a flash and an emergency call button, enabling quick reporting in emergencies.

In addition, investments necessary for citizen safety and climate crisis preparedness will be promoted, including support for sprinkler installation to respond to apartment electric vehicle fires, commencement of a deep rainwater drainage tunnel to prepare for extreme heavy rain, and support for the distribution of regenerative heat to reduce carbon emissions.

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