Goh Youngin, Deputy Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Apologizes for Welfare Budget... "Essential Budget Items Will Be Restored"

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 21 Nov.2025 11:55(KST)

Gyeonggi Province has expressed its apologies regarding next year's welfare budget and announced that it will actively cooperate with the provincial council to restore essential and indispensable budget items.

Goh Youngin, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs of Gyeonggi Province, held a press conference at the provincial government briefing room on the 21st, stating, "First of all, I would like to apologize," and added, "There has been some confusion over the budget directly tied to the quality of life for vulnerable groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, isolated and reclusive youth, and children."

He continued, "We have confirmed that crucial and indispensable budget items, such as support funds for senior counseling centers and operating expenses for senior welfare centers, were not fully reflected in next year's budget," and added, "We deeply empathize with the confusion and concerns in the field of welfare."

In particular, he emphasized, "The provincial executive branch will actively cooperate with the council and closely consult with welfare-related organizations to adjust the budget so that essential and indispensable items are restored," and stressed, "The continuity and stability of welfare for those in vulnerable positions in our society, such as seniors, people with disabilities, and children, must not be shaken."

Goh Youngin, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs of Gyeonggi Province, is holding a press conference on the welfare budget for next year on the 21st. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

He also said, "Governor Kim Dongyeon has recognized the seriousness of the situation and instructed us to maximize cooperation with the council to increase the restoration rate," and promised, "Following our efforts to restore the current budget, we will also reflect items that can be executed later in the supplementary budget."

He further stated, "We will do our best to ensure there is no regression in welfare in Gyeonggi Province," and reaffirmed, "There will be no change in our principle and direction to create tangible changes that residents can feel in their daily lives throughout next year's budget formulation process."

Gyeonggi Province explained that the provincial matching funds aligned with the expanded fiscal policy of the Lee Jaemyung administration amount to 304.9 billion won. The province also said that it was inevitable to adjust its own budget in the process of securing funds for the following: child care fees (34.4 billion won), personnel support for child care staff (29.2 billion won), parental allowance (18.5 billion won), child allowance (16.7 billion won), livelihood benefit (10.8 billion won), and child care support (6.6 billion won).

Deputy Governor Goh Youngin also addressed the issue raised by the People Power Party in the provincial council earlier that morning, when they declared a refusal to approve the budget in protest of welfare budget cuts. He said, "This is related to the disruption in the council, but we will strive to increase the budget wherever it reflects the voices from the field and where council members agree."