Small County, Big Leap: Yeongyang Secures Record 152.9 Billion Won in National and Provincial Funds for Next Year

Collaboration with Assemblyman Lim Jongdeuk
Securing Budget for Key County Projects

The financial floodgates have opened.

Yeongyang County in North Gyeongsang Province has secured 152.9 billion won in national and provincial funds for 2026, breaking its all-time record.

Yeongyang County achieved this record-high amount of funding as the National Assembly completed its government budget review for 2026.

The secured budget consists of 112.1 billion won in national funds and 40.8 billion won in provincial funds, for a total of 152.9 billion won. This is an increase of 11.6 billion won compared to the 141.3 billion won allocated for 2025.

Throughout the year, Yeongyang County held multiple reporting sessions on securing national and provincial funds and worked closely with Assemblyman Lim Jongdeuk to continuously negotiate with government ministries for funding.

Major projects included in next year's government budget are as follows: 16.2 billion won for the Rural Basic Income Pilot Project, 4.9 billion won for the Eastern District Rural Space Improvement Project, 12 billion won from the Local Extinction Response Fund, 4.6 billion won for the Yeongyang-Ipam Integrated Rural Living Water Development Project, 3.4 billion won for the County Park Cemetery Construction Project (burial and charnel facilities), 2.9 billion won for the Bangjeon (Byeongok) Village Sewer Installation Project, 4.5 billion won for Disaster Risk Improvement Zone Maintenance (Songha District and four other locations), 1 billion won for Comprehensive Flood Risk Management (Daecheon District), and 3 billion won for the creation of Seonbawi Bonsai Arboretum and remodeling of the stone exhibition hall.

In particular, the Rural Basic Income Pilot Project will invest 75.4 billion won over two years to address longstanding issues of population decline and reduced consumption. The Local Extinction Response Fund, which received the nation's highest rating (Excellent), secured 12 billion won to implement key projects such as the Rural Life Safety Education Center, customized public rental housing in Yeongyang, the Yeongyang Grand Park project, and the Yeongyang Youth and Agricultural Growth Platform, all aimed at attracting new residents and improving living conditions.

Additionally, 11.8 billion won in national and provincial funds has been secured for the Eastern District Rural Space Improvement Project, which will be used by 2027 to build the Yeongyang Community Complex Center and Bitsol Park, thereby enhancing rural landscapes and living environments. For the Rural Agreement Project, a total of 33.2 billion won, including 25.5 billion won in national and provincial funds, will be invested by 2029 to promote the Revitalization of Rural Centers Project (Yeongyang-eup) and the Basic Living Hub Creation Project (township areas).

Furthermore, regarding the Yeongyang County Park Cemetery Construction Project, all necessary procedures such as design and permits will be completed, with construction scheduled to begin at the end of 2026 and be completed by 2029. Upon completion, the facility will help resolve the inconvenience of local residents having to use burial facilities in other regions, while also creating local jobs and attracting new residents.

Yeongyang County has also confirmed the establishment of the National Yeongyang Birch Healing Forest (under the Korea Forest Service). After developing the basic plan and design in 2026, by 2029, a 54-hectare area in Jukpa-ri, Lot 44, will feature the World Birch Park, Birch Plaza, Sky Observatory, and Forest Experience Center. This is expected to create a synergistic tourism effect in connection with the Yeongyang birch forest and boost the local economy by increasing visitor numbers.

In addition, the National Route 31 Realignment Project (under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) will begin construction within the year after design completion, improving regional accessibility and contributing to revitalizing Yeongyang County's stagnant local economy.

The 2026 national and provincial budget was secured through the joint efforts of Yeongyang County and local Assemblyman Lim Jongdeuk, who persuaded officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as members of the National Assembly's budget and standing committees. The secured budget includes many regional pledges made by the Assemblyman, such as the National Yeongyang Birch Healing Forest, the Rural Agreement Project, the Yeongyang County Park Cemetery Construction Project, and the expansion of sports facilities for seniors.

Looking ahead, Yeongyang County and Assemblyman Lim Jongdeuk plan to actively persuade the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other government agencies to include the North-South Axis Expressway in the third expressway construction plan in the first half of 2026, in order to further boost the synergy effect of securing national and provincial funds.

Assemblyman Lim Jongdeuk stated, "I welcome the inclusion of most of Yeongyang County's long-awaited projects and will continue to actively support the inclusion of initiatives that will help revitalize the local economy and attract new residents in 2027."

Yeongyang County Office.

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