Seoul's Jung-gu district (district mayor Kim Gil-sung) has submitted a second supplementary budget for this year totaling 31.5 billion won ($22.5 million) to the Jung-gu Council.
The budget covers legally mandated expenditures while directing concentrated investment into urban renewal, welfare, economic revitalization, culture and leisure, and public safety — areas where residents are expected to feel the most direct impact.
The most prominent area is aging urban development and residential environment improvement. The district will pursue systematic urban renewal through a district-unit plan for the Pil-dong area (250 million won) and a feasibility study for a mixed-use redevelopment of Chungmu Art Center (100 million won).
The budget also sets aside 200 million won for a master plan study for a new district office building, laying the groundwork for a resident-friendly public facility.
Tailored welfare programs to support the daily health of vulnerable groups — including senior citizens and pregnant women — will also be expanded. Allocations include a senior nutrition support program (4.9 billion won), bathing assistance for seniors with mobility difficulties (20 million won), a care package for expectant mothers (80 million won) and a Jung-gu postpartum care cost support program (50 million won).
Funding has also been earmarked to assist small business owners struggling under a prolonged economic downturn and to revive local alley commerce. The district will pursue environmental improvements for the Euljiro and Myeongbo promising alley commercial districts (230 million won), a Central Asian local brand development program in Gwanghui-dong (100 million won), issuance of Seoul Jung-gu Love Gift Certificates (150 million won) and issuance of Ddaenggyeoyo gift certificates (40 million won).
The budget also bolsters culture and leisure programs to enrich residents' daily lives. A walking mileage app incentive program (360 million won), improvements to community sports facilities (140 million won), and support for the Jung-gu District Mayor's Cup sports tournament and operation of a screen park golf course (50 million won each) will broaden opportunities for residents to participate in recreational sports. In addition, the district will create comfortable outdoor rest spaces, including a trail along the Namsan hillside forest path (50 million won) and improvements to Donghwa Residents' Park (10 million won).
Safety net measures to protect residents from disasters and accidents were not overlooked. To preemptively eliminate everyday hazards, the budget includes repairs to infrastructure such as sidewalks, roadways and road facilities (870 million won), winter snow removal measures and heating cable management (120 million won), installation of intelligent CCTV systems (100 million won) and underground cavity surveys (50 million won).
The supplementary budget bill is expected to be finalized after a vote at the Jung-gu Council plenary session on Sept. 14.
"This supplementary budget was drawn up with the highest priority given to projects that residents can feel in their everyday lives," district mayor Kim said. "We will communicate actively with the council to secure the budget in a timely manner and do our utmost to make Jung-gu a great place to live at every moment."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
