Hwasun County has set aside 715.6 billion won in next year’s budget. Hwasun County (Governor Koo Bok-gyu) announced on the 11th that it had prepared a budget for next year worth 715.6 billion won and submitted it to the Hwasun County Council.
The 25th year’s budget increased compared to this year, but was reduced by 35 billion won from the 23rd year’s budget of 750.5 billion won due to a reduction in local allocation taxes and a decrease in local tax revenue. In response to these worsening revenue conditions, Hwasun-gun prepared a budget for sound financial management, including reducing unnecessary and urgent budgets and minimizing administrative expenses.
Even under difficult conditions, essential budgets were actively allocated to protect the socially underprivileged and the vulnerable, and to respond to population decline, agricultural development, and regional growth engines.
Looking at the budget allocation plan for each major general accounting field, ▲the social welfare field accounted for the largest portion at KRW 169.6 billion, or 26.9%, ▲ the agriculture, forestry, maritime and fisheries field at KRW 121.4 billion ▲ the land and regional development field at KRW 51.8 billion ▲ the environment field at KRW 35.9 billion ▲ The culture and tourism sector is 33.4 billion won.
Looking specifically, △In the field of public order and safety, KRW 7.7 billion was allocated to the Seotae 2 storm and flood damage living area comprehensive maintenance project, KRW 2.6 billion to the Hwasuncheon river disaster prevention project, KRW 2.2 billion to the Geomsanso river maintenance project, and KRW 1 billion to the establishment of a smart disaster relief system. 20.9 billion won was allocated.
△In the field of culture and tourism, KRW 2.8 billion was allocated to the Hwasun Red Cliffs realistic tourist attraction development project, KRW 1.4 billion to repair the columnar joints and Jigong-naked Seokbulam of Mudeungsan Mountain, KRW 1.2 billion to the tourism resources project around Seoseongje, and KRW 1 billion to the Hwasun Flower River Road Festival event. 33.4 billion won, including won, was allocated.
△The social welfare sector totals KRW 169.6 billion, an increase of KRW 14.1 billion compared to this year’s budget, including KRW 57.7 billion for basic pension, KRW 14.7 billion for livelihood benefits, KRW 12.1 billion for social activity support projects for the elderly, and KRW 8 billion for activity support benefits for the disabled. It was organized. In particular, 1.8 billion won was newly allocated to improve the treatment of disabled activity support workers, nursing care workers, living support workers, and workers at social welfare facilities.
△The agriculture, forestry, marine and fisheries sector is more than this year’s budget, including KRW 16.3 billion in public interest direct payments, KRW 5.7 billion in support of public welfare allowances for farmers and fishermen, KRW 4.5 billion in rural care village creation projects, KRW 4 billion in rural space improvement projects, and KRW 2.3 billion in construction of distribution centers for agricultural products. KRW 121.4 billion was allocated, an increase of KRW 12 billion.
In particular, support for farmers was further strengthened by organizing new projects such as the 700 million won happiness voucher project for female farmers and 300 million won to support the revitalization of field crops for small farmers.
△In the industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, and energy sectors, KRW 25.2 billion was allocated, including KRW 5.3 billion for the establishment of a bio-health convergence knowledge industry center, KRW 3.5 billion for the issuance and operation of Hwasun Love Gift Certificates
△In the field of national land and regional development, KRW 51.8 billion was allocated, including KRW 10 billion for the creation of the second biological and pharmaceutical industrial complex, KRW 2.2 billion for the construction of the Hwasun Generation Solidarity Center, and KRW 800 million for maintenance of urban planning facilities.
Hwasun County Mayor Koo Bok-gyu said, “Although difficult financial conditions are expected to continue next year, we will do our best to protect the socially vulnerable, respond to population decline, and sustain agricultural development and regional economic growth.”
Meanwhile, Hwasun-gun announced on the 13th that it had provided encouragement and support by providing a special scholarship to all third-year high school students in the district who are scheduled to take the College Scholastic Ability Test in 2024.
The scholarship was awarded on November 11, and 200,000 won per person was given to high school seniors who were concentrating on their studies as a sign of support.
This special scholarship was funded by a fund of 30 million won raised through a business agreement (MOU) between Hwasun-gun and Kiturami Group last May and an additional 64 million won provided by the Hwasun Scholarship Association.
Through this, a total of 94 million won worth of scholarships were collected, allowing all third-year students in Hwasun to benefit.
Cho Mi-hwa, head of the Population and Youth Policy Department at the Hwasun Scholarship Foundation, said, “I hope that this scholarship will provide a little encouragement and comfort to students who are preparing for the CSAT and working hard to study and prepare for employment.”
He then expressed his determination, saying, “Hwasun County will continue to actively support local youth’s studies and career exploration, and will continue to pay attention and make efforts to help students advance toward their dreams through various scholarship projects.”
On the 13th, Hwasun-gun announced that it would support the ‘Youth Culture and Arts Pass’ for young people aged 19 (born in 2005) with addresses within the district.
The ‘Youth Culture and Arts Pass’ project provides admission fees for art performances (plays, musicals, classical music, opera, ballet, dance, choir, Korean traditional music, etc.) and exhibitions up to the annual maximum in order to provide young people taking their first steps into society with the opportunity to enjoy culture and arts. It is a project to be implemented for the first time this year, with support of 150,000 won.
Up to 205 young people in Hwasun County can benefit from this project.
Applications for issuance can be made until November 30th at Interpark and YES24, online cooperative reservation sites. Payment is made on a first-come, first-served basis and may close early when the budget is exhausted. The expiration date is December 31 after issuance, and any unused amount within the period is automatically forfeited.
Kang Sam-young, head of the Culture and Arts Department, said, “We hope that young people will not miss the opportunity to enjoy culture and arts through active application and use.”
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo Hwasun-gun
How can the scholarship programs in Hwasun County impact the local population decline?
Interview: Time.news Editor and Cho Mi-hwa, Head of the Population and Youth Policy Department at the Hwasun Scholarship Foundation
Editor: Good day, Cho Mi-hwa! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent budget initiatives in Hwasun County and their implications for the community, especially the youth.
Cho Mi-hwa: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share insights about our budget and the upcoming scholarship programs aimed at supporting our students.
Editor: Hwasun County has allocated an impressive 715.6 billion won for the next year. What were the key factors that led to this budget proposal, especially considering the reductions compared to previous years?
Cho Mi-hwa: It’s true that our budget reflects some challenges, particularly with a decrease of 35 billion won due to lower local allocation taxes and tax revenue. However, the County Governor, Koo Bok-gyu, emphasized the need for sound financial management. We’ve focused on essential services, prioritizing social welfare and programs that address the needs of our vulnerable population and the ongoing crisis of population decline.
Editor: Speaking of social welfare, you mentioned in the budget allocations that a substantial portion—169.6 billion won—was reserved for this sector. Can you elaborate on how this funding will support our community?
Cho Mi-hwa: Certainly! The social welfare budget has seen a significant increase, with funds allocated to various crucial avenues such as basic pensions, livelihood benefits, and support for the elderly and disabled. For instance, we included 1.8 billion won specifically to improve the treatment and working conditions of care workers in our social welfare facilities, which is vital for enhancing the overall quality of care.
Editor: That’s a commendable initiative! In addition to social welfare, what are some specific measures being taken to support youth, especially with the challenges they face today?
Cho Mi-hwa: One of our most exciting initiatives is the special scholarship program we recently introduced. We’ve allocated 94 million won in total to support all third-year high school students preparing for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) next year. Each student will receive 200,000 won to help ease their financial burden during this crucial time.
Editor: That’s fantastic! How did the funding for these scholarships come together?
Cho Mi-hwa: The scholarship was made possible through a partnership with Kiturami Group and additional contributions from the Hwasun Scholarship Association. This collaborative effort really showcases our community’s commitment to investing in our youth’s future.
Editor: It certainly does! With the ongoing concerns about population decline, how do you envision these budget allocations and the scholarship program impacting the demographic situation in Hwasun?
Cho Mi-hwa: We believe that by providing financial support and developing our youth’s skills, we can encourage them to remain here after they graduate. It’s crucial to give them the tools they need to succeed and thrive in our community, which in turn can attract families and foster a more robust population in the long run.
Editor: Wise words indeed! As we look towards the future, what is your vision for the ongoing development of Hwasun County?
Cho Mi-hwa: My vision is focused on creating a sustainable and inclusive community. We want to ensure that no one is left behind, especially the socially vulnerable. By maintaining strong support systems for our youth, promoting agricultural development, and enhancing regional growth engines, we aim to build a thriving environment that benefits all residents.
Editor: Thank you, Cho Mi-hwa, for sharing your insights and the thoughtful approaches Hwasun County is taking to address its challenges. Your work is instrumental in shaping a positive future for the community.
Cho Mi-hwa: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues. Together, we are making a difference!