Hongcheon County Sets 2026 Budget at 822.7 Billion Won... Focused Investment in SOC Expansion and Local Economy

Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province (Governor Shin Youngjae) announced on November 24 that it has formulated its 2026 budget at a total of 822.7 billion won and submitted it to the Hongcheon County Council on November 21.

A view of Hongcheon County Office. Provided by Hongcheon County

This budget proposal represents an increase of 28.4 billion won (3.58%) compared to the initial 2025 budget of 794.3 billion won. The budget is primarily allocated to areas directly related to residents' daily lives, including improvements to community-focused facilities (SOC), expansion of infrastructure, recovery of the local economy, and customized and daily welfare services.

Hongcheon County will invest 198.4 billion won in improving community-focused facilities and building social infrastructure. This includes the construction of the Naemyeon Highland National Sports Center (4.5 billion won) and new multipurpose gymnasiums in Sangoan-ri, Hongcheon-eup; Wolun-ri, Yeongguimi-myeon; Nocheon 2-ri; Jwaundong 1-ri; Sindae 2-ri, Nam-myeon; and Gwangam-ri, Naechon-myeon (1.75 billion won), along with expanded facility maintenance.

In particular, to respond to the growing demand for park golf, which has become a representative sport among the elderly, the county is developing the Taehak-ri Park Golf Course with an investment of 9 billion won.

Efforts to expand social infrastructure are also being actively pursued. In the road sector, 38 billion won has been allocated for projects such as the improvement of the structure of County Road No. 4 (2.3 billion won), expansion and paving of the road in Mulgeol-ri, Naechon-myeon (1.9 billion won), improvement of facilities in child and senior protection zones (2.2 billion won), and the construction of the Majigi-Galmagok road (1.8 billion won). Additionally, 3.6 billion won has been allocated for village road paving, 3.9 billion won for drainage installation, 6.1 billion won for urban regeneration projects, and 6.5 billion won for projects addressing long-standing resident needs in towns and villages, all aimed at improving residents' living conditions.

△ In the area of revitalizing the local economy, 155 billion won has been allocated. To strengthen the foundation of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, the "Half-Price Agricultural Supplies" program (15 billion won) will be supported at the largest scale in the province. In addition, 1.4 billion won has been allocated to the seasonal worker system to alleviate labor shortages for farms. Other initiatives include 3.6 billion won for maintenance of agricultural facilities and 3 billion won for agricultural machinery, all aimed at reinforcing the production base.

For the revitalization of traditional markets, 1.1 billion won has been allocated for facility improvements. To ease the management burden on local small and medium-sized enterprises, 2.3 billion won has been set aside for practical support, including 400 million won for overseas market development, 760 million won for marketing, and 130 million won for logistics cost support.

The "Hongmaek" commercial district revitalization project, aimed at revitalizing the old downtown, has been allocated 530 million won. By 2030, a total of 6.6 billion won will be invested to create a unique commercial district themed around beer.

△ Furthermore, a total of 242.7 billion won will be invested to improve daily welfare, including protection for vulnerable groups, responses to an aging population, support for childbirth and childcare, veterans' affairs, and public healthcare.

For the aging population, the county has allocated 500 million won for longevity celebration grants, 600 million won for filial piety encouragement grants, 180 million won for senior walking aids, 26.8 billion won for senior employment, and 62.7 billion won for basic pensions to strengthen welfare for the elderly.

Support for childbirth and childcare will also be expanded. The budget includes 770 million won for childbirth incentive grants, 710 million won for the "First Meeting Voucher," 220 million won for postpartum care support, and 90 million won for childbirth celebration items (such as hip seats, bottle sterilizers, and thermometers). Additionally, 160 million won has been allocated for infertility treatment and transportation support, all aimed at supporting pregnancy and childbirth.

The child allowance (3.5 billion won) will be expanded from covering children up to age 7 to those up to age 8 starting in 2026, with additional support for areas experiencing population decline. Considering the region's high proportion of residents at risk for brain diseases, a new 200 million won project will be launched to establish an emergency medical system for brain diseases, thereby improving access to public healthcare.

In the area of veterans' affairs, 4.3 billion won has been allocated for participation and veterans' honor allowances. The funeral expense support program for Korean War veterans (30 million won), which has been in operation since 2025, will continue, honoring and further recognizing the sacrifices of those who served the country.

Shin Youngjae, Governor of Hongcheon County, stated, "This budget proposal has been organized around projects related to residents' lives, such as community SOC, infrastructure, the local economy, and welfare," adding, "We will continue to work with the Hongcheon County Council to ensure that the allocated budget is managed efficiently according to the objectives of each sector."

Meanwhile, the 2026 budget proposal will undergo review by the Hongcheon County Council and is scheduled for final approval at the plenary session on December 17.

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