Ulsan drafts W126.4b supplementary budget, first to cross W6tr mark

Ulsan announced Friday its third supplementary budget for 2026 — the first under the ninth elected city administration — totaling 126.4 billion won ($90.7 million). Combined with the existing budget of 5.99 trillion won, the city's total annual expenditure rises to 6.11 trillion won, crossing the 6 trillion won mark for the first time in history.

The supplementary budget prioritizes resolving everyday inconveniences for residents — including restoring city bus routes and expanding the industrial AI transition — as well as advancing key policy and campaign pledges, while minimizing spending on ceremonial or inefficient projects. The additional funds were secured through surplus tax revenue and net fiscal carryovers.

In transportation and roads, the budget allocates 2.46 billion won to purchase 37 hydrogen and electric low-floor buses for route restoration and adjustment to normalize city bus services, 540 million won to improve facilities at the Taehwagang Station bus stop, 350 million won for a study on expanding city bus routes, and 500 million won for a feasibility study on a public bus management system.

In industry and the economy, the budget sets aside 2.92 billion won to support AI-specialized shipbuilding infrastructure and advanced component demonstration, 1.5 billion won to build a digital training base for core talent in the shipbuilding industry, 1.5 billion won to advance the advanced-coating materials industry for future mobility, 1.1 billion won to foster the naval vessel maintenance, repair and overhaul defense industry, and 960 million won to establish a land-based hydrogen engine demonstration facility.

In lifestyle and welfare, the budget includes 10.2 billion won for raw water procurement and the repair and replacement of aging water supply pipes, 12 billion won for facility and equipment costs at Ulsan University Hospital as a regional responsible medical institution, 290 million won to support the regional essential physician program at local general hospitals, 5.74 billion won for housing support for youth and vulnerable groups, and 800 million won to expand school meal support and address gaps in elementary school care during vacations.

In safety and urban affairs, the budget covers 450 million won for restoration design work on the subsided section of the former Samho Bridge, 4.54 billion won to reinforce fire department equipment including replacing aging fire trucks, 1.5 billion won to establish a heat-wave disaster safety industry promotion facility, and 370 million won to strengthen safety management facilities at public restrooms.

In environment and green spaces, the budget allocates 5.5 billion won for administrative enforcement support against illegal land filling on farmland in Duseo-myeon, 10.65 billion won for infrastructure development at the international garden expo site, 4.5 billion won to support the distribution of electric vehicles and electric motorcycles, and 300 million won to improve the growing environment for roadside trees.

Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-uk said the supplementary budget was "prioritized to restore severed bus routes, accelerate the AI transition of our core industries, and protect the basic livelihoods of residents in areas such as healthcare and care services."

The third supplementary budget bill will be finalized after deliberation and approval at the first regular session of the 267th Ulsan Metropolitan Council, scheduled for Aug. 31.