Gapyeong County Sets 2026 Budget at 404.5 Billion KRW... "Focus on Improving Residents' Quality of Life"

Mayor Seo Taewon Delivers 2026 Budget Address at County Council
Strategic Investment in Five Key Areas: Welfare, Transportation, Tourism, Agriculture, and Safety

On the 25th, Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province announced its 2026 budget plan, totaling 404.5 billion KRW (388.9 billion KRW in the general account and 15.6 billion KRW in the special account), with a strategic focus on investing in five key areas of county administration. The county's budget for next year is based on fiscal austerity, yet prioritizes 'selection and concentration' to improve residents' quality of life and prepare for the future.

Seo Taewon, Mayor of Gapyeong County, announced on the 25th that the 2026 budget plan has been organized with a total of 404.5 billion KRW (388.9 billion KRW in the general account and 15.6 billion KRW in the special account), and that strategic investments will be focused on five key areas of county administration. Provided by Gapyeong County

During his policy address at the Gapyeong County Council, Mayor Seo Taewon stated, "We will focus all administrative capabilities on improving the lives of our residents," adding, "We will make strengthening residential and transportation infrastructure, expanding the economy through stay-type tourism, and establishing a safety net for daily life the core pillars of county administration."

Next year, Gapyeong County will establish the 'Baro Hope Team' in cooperation with the local police station to provide one-stop support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. The county also plans to actively support the care needs of children, parents, and families by creating play experience facilities in Cheongpyeong and Jojong districts, establishing the Haengbok Jarame Care Center in Gapyeong-eup, and operating public childcare hubs in each region.

The county is also accelerating the creation of spaces for each generation. Projects include the construction of a senior welfare center, the start of a senior leisure facility in the Jojong district, the design phase for a youth space, and the opening of a lifelong learning center. In addition, the establishment of a Talent Development Foundation will unify scholarship, lifelong education, and youth support systems to strengthen the local talent base.

Gapyeong County will continue a flood recovery project worth 244 billion KRW by 2027 to restructure residential and transportation infrastructure projects to be more resident-focused. In particular, the county plans to actively cooperate with central government agencies to expedite major arterial transportation networks such as the Second Gyeongchun Expressway, Homyeong Tunnel, National Road No. 75, and Provincial Road No. 387.

Improving public transportation services is also a key focus. The county will implement a comprehensive reorganization of rural bus routes starting next year, extend the 1330-44 bus route to Jamsil, increase the number of Gyeonggi PyeonhaG buses, and introduce additional transportation policies to ease nighttime taxi shortages. Other projects include pushing for the completion of the Gapyeong-eup outer ring road by 2027, acquiring land to expand parking at the memorial park, and accelerating projects to improve the residential environment.

Jaraseom Island, registered as a local garden this year, will be expanded into a year-round tourism content hub based on a master plan for local gardens. Through this, the county aims to establish a convergence model of culture and tourism by reviving the outdoor art exhibition that began in 1981, operating a workation center, and offering educational programs at the video media center.

The county will also expand the Gapyeong Moa-Stay fam tour, which is linked to rural experience and recreation villages, and develop a Gapyeong-style stay tourism model that connects local resources such as Suljium and the Environmental Disease Center. The Bukhangang Millennium Boat Route is scheduled for completion at Homyeong Naru in 2026, with the entire route opening by 2028. Projects such as the Cheongpyeong abandoned railway trail, Sang-myeon 'RE100 Park,' Jojong-myeon archery range and trail, Buk-myeon Miyoungyeonbang Tourism Security Park, and improvements to Yeoninsan Campground have already secured provincial funding, and design and construction will begin in earnest next year.

With eligibility for the Peace Economic Special Zone secured this year, the county will conduct a basic plan study next year and aims to foster new growth engines for the local economy by developing strategic industries that combine tourism, forestry, and waterfront resources.

Gapyeong County has set the transition to eco-friendly, ecology-centered agriculture as a key goal for next year. The county will strengthen the foundation for stable settlement and address labor shortages in agriculture by promoting livestock-crop circulation farming, supporting foreign seasonal workers, and providing support for the Rural Workforce Brokerage Center and the Comprehensive Support Center for Returning and New Farmers.

The county also plans to simultaneously improve the ecological and residential environment through forest restoration in flood-affected areas, the creation of nectar forests, the establishment of an eco-friendly forest culture activation center, rural center revitalization, and basic living hub projects. The county will also expand its international cooperation base through the construction of an animal protection center, participation in Horizon Europe, and joint research on timber cities.

In response to this year's record flooding, Gapyeong County will significantly strengthen its disaster safety net next year. The county will establish a constant safety management system that 'manages even invisible risks' by conducting a comprehensive survey of landslide-prone areas, formulating a basic plan for comprehensive storm and flood management, and advancing the operation of an integrated control center based on 1,571 closed-circuit (CC) TV cameras.

Mayor Seo Taewon emphasized, "Over the past three years, we have become stronger thanks to the unity of our residents and the dedication of public officials, even amid crises and changes," adding, "We will continue to ensure that all administrative directions are centered on residents, paying close attention even to unseen areas, and fostering a participatory and communicative administration where the voices of residents become policy."

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