Changwon Special City Surpasses 4 Trillion Won in 2026 Main Budget... Focused Investment in Advanced Industries, Welfare, and Youth

Focusing Resources on Three Core Goals:
Industrial Complex Innovation,
Strengthening the Safety Net,
and Revitalizing the Local Economy

Changwon Special City has finalized its 2026 main budget at 4.0142 trillion won.

This represents an increase of 242.4 billion won (6.4%) compared to the previous year. The city plans to concentrate resources on its three core investment areas: fostering advanced industries, strengthening the social safety net, and revitalizing the local economy.

◆ Changwon Enters the 4 Trillion Won Era... Comprehensive Investment in Advanced Industries, Welfare, Youth, and Culture

The 2026 main budget consists of 3.5286 trillion won in the general account and 485.6 billion won in the special account. With the goal of securing future growth engines, the city has prioritized budget allocations for AI and big data-based manufacturing innovation, next-generation strategic industries, and support for nuclear power companies.

For the social welfare sector, 1.6687 trillion won has been allocated to reinforce the welfare safety net through basic pensions, senior employment programs, and childcare subsidies. In addition, a total of 66 billion won has been invested in citizen safety, including improvements to disaster-prone areas.

To boost the local economy, the city will continue to expand policies aimed at attracting young people, such as operating the Changwon Love Gift Certificate (Nubijeon), supporting traditional markets, running the Youth Tomorrow Savings Account program, and opening the Youth Vision Center.

Furthermore, the budget includes projects to enhance cultural and tourism infrastructure, such as the 'K-Art Masil Island Network,' the creation of the Changwon Coastal Trail, and the reconstruction of Naeseo Library.

◆ "Top Tier in Fiscal Independence Nationwide"... Emphasis on Fiscal Efficiency

With growing attention on managing a budget exceeding 4 trillion won, the city has also outlined strategies to ensure fiscal soundness and efficiency.

Expansion of Own-Source Revenue Changwon City responded to concerns about its low fiscal self-reliance and high dependence on the general allocation tax by explaining that it was the first in the nation to enact the "Ordinance on the Operation and Management of Non-Tax Revenue" and has been working to expand its own-source revenue base, including maximizing interest income from public deposits.

The city particularly emphasized that its fiscal independence ratio stands at 55.30%, surpassing the average of similar local governments (53.81%), which demonstrates greater autonomy in fiscal management.

Explanation of Administrative Expense Proportion Regarding analyses that administrative operation expenses account for a high proportion compared to policy projects, the city stated, "Changwon is the only basic local government in the country that operates fire services as part of the city administration, a unique characteristic that is reflected in these figures."

Excluding the fire service budget of 103.7 billion won, the proportion of administrative operation expenses is 12.10%, which is on par with the average for similar local governments.

Rebuttal to Criticism of Reduced Investment in Industry and Regional Development A city official explained, "Facility and project budgets are often strategically allocated through supplementary budgets," and noted that if the final budget (including supplementary budgets) is considered, the proportion of funds allocated to industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy, and regional development has actually increased compared to 2021.

The city also stated that both carryover funds and net surplus funds are not excessive compared to similar local governments, and that it is working to improve execution efficiency by implementing a pre-review system for carryover projects, which reduced the carryover amount for the 2024 fiscal year by 20.4%.

Jang Geumyong, Acting Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, "Despite challenging fiscal conditions, we have established a 4 trillion won foundation for Changwon's sustainable growth. We will focus investment on growth engines such as future industries and maximize efficiency through responsible fiscal execution, including minimizing carryovers."

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