Seoul's Seocho-gu district said it has submitted a second supplementary budget of 35.7 billion won ($25.3 million) to the district assembly, centering on everyday-life projects such as small-business loan support, alley-commerce revitalization, fast-track reconstruction assistance, and public transit subsidies for residents aged 65 and older.
The supplementary budget — the second compiled since the launch of the ninth elected term — covers three core areas: support for a vibrant local economy, creation of a quality residential environment, and delivery of cultural activities and tailored welfare in daily life. While the first supplementary budget focused on responding to pending issues and securing mandatory and essential expenditures, this round concentrates funding on livelihood projects that residents can feel directly in their everyday lives.
Under the local-economy pillar, the district allocated funds to ease the burden on small businesses and secure future growth drivers. Key projects include 500 million won for an express loan program for small and mid-sized merchants, 200 million won for alley-commerce revitalization, 1.2 billion won for nighttime streetscape improvements and pedestrian-path construction along Bangbae Cafe Alley, 400 million won to relocate the Seocho Startup Station, and 100 million won for a "Demo Day" event at Seocho AICT.
The residential-environment pillar advances both reconstruction support — a longstanding concern for many residents — and improvements to everyday living conditions. Allocations include 400 million won for a fast-track reconstruction support team, 1.2 billion won for an underground utility project on secondary roads, 100 million won to develop a multipurpose leisure space around Yeoui Stream and Mabang Park, and 300 million won to build a pedestrian path adjacent to Dongwang-ro in Seoripul Park. The investments support smooth progress on redevelopment projects while improving the residential environment residents experience day to day.
The culture and welfare pillar will receive a total of 4.9 billion won to expand senior welfare and build out cultural, sports and educational infrastructure within residential areas. Major projects include 700 million won for public transit subsidies for residents 65 and older, 20 million won for a master-plan study on the construction of an art museum, literary museum and small theater, 1.2 billion won to build a park golf course in Wonjidong, and 700 million won to relocate the Seocho Education Support Center. Through these investments, the district plans to strengthen welfare support tailored to residents' ages and circumstances and broaden access to culture and education close to home.
The supplementary budget will be finalized after deliberation and approval by the Seocho District Assembly. Once the budget is confirmed, the district said it will move quickly through project-by-project procedures to ensure the effects reach the local economy and residents' daily lives as early as possible.
"This second supplementary budget concentrates resources on the livelihood economy, residential environment, and culture and welfare areas closest to residents' daily lives," District Mayor Jeon Seong-su said. "We will execute the budget swiftly once it is confirmed so that residents can feel the change in their everyday lives, and we will vigorously advance 'Seocho Jeonseong Era 2' — an era in which residents' daily lives become ever more fulfilling."
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