Goryeong County Council Approves $471 Million budget for 2026, Addresses underutilized Public Projects
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The Goryeong County council in South Korea concluded its 309th regular meeting on December 12th, finalizing the agenda for 2025 and approving a substantial budget of 471.178 billion won for 2026. The 19-day session saw the processing of 31 agenda items, ranging from budgetary plans to revisions in regulatory ordinances and public transportation operations.
2026 Budget Highlights and Financial Considerations
The approved 2026 budget represents a 3.12% increase – equivalent to 14.237 billion won – over the 2025 main budget. The total allocation is comprised of 456.895 billion won in general accounting and 14.283 billion won in special accounting. The Budget and Settlement Special Committee meticulously reviewed the plan,factoring in increased local allocation taxes,expanded own-revenue sources,and reductions in subsidies. Adjustments were made throughout the review process to ensure fiscal obligation.
“We carefully reviewed the budget plan based on the necessity and effectiveness of the project and reviewed it in a way that will actually help the residents’ lives and regional growth,” stated a senior official during the proceedings.
Scrutiny of Public Project Effectiveness
Beyond the budget, the council addressed concerns regarding the utilization of facilities constructed through public contest projects. During the 4th plenary session, a council representative highlighted the prolonged underutilization of several sites, including the Burye Tourist Site, the Dreaming Time Traveler Center, and the Ssanglim Wolmak Daegaya Hostel.
the representative emphasized the need for improved operational measures, particularly noting the continued inactivity of the Burye Tourist Site and the limited use of the Time Traveler Center following the conclusion of its initial consignment agreement. A key suggestion was to rigorously evaluate operational methods and management costs before launching future public offering projects to maximize their effectiveness.
Commitment to Resident Voices and Legislative Balance
Council Chairman Lee Cheol-ho expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their diligent work during the regular session. He urged executive agencies to implement the approved budget “responsibly and efficiently so that it can bring real changes to the lives of residents.”
Looking ahead,Chairman Lee affirmed the Goryeong County Council’s commitment to representing the voices of residents and maintaining a balanced approach to legislative operations. “The Goryeong County Council will faithfully reflect the voices of the residents in the military government in the new year and carry out mature legislative operations based on the balance of checks and cooperation, which are the responsibilities of local councils,” he concluded.
Why: The Goryeong County Council approved a budget for 2026 and addressed concerns about underperforming public projects.
Who: The Goryeong County Council, led by Chairman Lee Cheol-ho, and lawmakers were involved. A representative also raised concerns during the 4th plenary session.
What: The council approved a 471.178 billion won budget for 2026, a 3.12% increase from 2025. They also scrutinized the underutilization of the Burye Tourist site, the Dreaming Time Traveler center, and the Ssanglim Wol
