48.407 trillion won, a 5% increase from this year… All-out effort to rebound the birth rate, including 1 trillion won in housing support
Creating a ‘Fortune Zone’ with the goal of ‘Healthy City Seoul’… Increased R&D budget for Seoul-type companies
Establishing a tight care network and innovating space in each region… Maintain a sound fiscal stance
Seoul City announced on the 31st that it will allocate 48.407 trillion won as next year’s budget and submit it to the Seoul City Council.
Next year’s budget is an increase of KRW 2.3 trillion (5.0%) compared to this year (KRW 45.7405 trillion), which saw the budget decrease for the first time in 13 years.
Compared to 2023, it increased by 850.2 billion won (1.8%).
The city explained that although the budget increased, the ‘sound fiscal stance’ was maintained, with debt continuing to decrease.
Last year, Seoul City’s debt was 11.4425 trillion won and is expected to decrease slightly to 11.4057 trillion won at the end of this year.
Next year, we plan to reduce it to 11.3915 trillion won.
The budget focused on protecting the health and safety of citizens.
In detail, we will invest intensively in seven major areas, including ▲ response to low birth rate ▲ healthy city of Seoul ▲ economy ▲ care ▲ safe daily life ▲ globally attractive city ▲ balanced development.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, “Amid the climate crisis and complex social changes, ‘citizens’ health and safe daily life’ is the most important responsibility of the Seoul mayor.” “We will make sure it is not used,” he said.
◇ Response to low birth rate, expansion of investment in healthy cities and economy
First, to solve the low birth rate problem, 1.1091 trillion won was allocated to supply public rental housing, including housing support for newlyweds and young people.
Next year, 4,000 housing units for newlyweds and 2,504 housing units for young people will be supplied.
In a situation where there is hope for resolving low birth rates, with the number of births nationwide increasing by nearly 7.9% in July of this year compared to the same month last year, the plan is to revive the spark of a rebound through housing support.
In addition, we will support fertility tests for men and women aged 25 to 49, medical and surgical expenses for infertile couples, and create a Seoul-style kids cafe.
In order to respond to a super-aging society, we are investing heavily in creating a healthy city so that anyone can experience the ‘zone of fortune’ (exercise + area near a station).
We operate the ‘7979 Seoul Running Crew’ where people can run together in the city center from 7 to 9 pm after work, and we plan to add 10 facilities such as the ‘Runner Station’ currently at Yeouinaru Station next year.
Namsan Sky Forest Path, where people can relax and walk, will be created, Jamsu Bridge Pedestrian Bridge, and World Cup Park 2nd Park Golf Course will also be completed.
In addition, 75.7 billion won was allocated to support emergency medical care systems at six city hospitals, and 10.6 billion won was allocated to establish a pediatric emergency medical system.
In terms of economic revitalization, KRW 54 billion was allocated for financial support for small business owners and KRW 25.1 billion for early identification of small business owners in crisis.
In addition, the R&D budget for Seoul-type companies, which supports research and development of small and medium-sized businesses and startups, was set at KRW 42.1 billion, an increase of KRW 5.3 billion from last year.
◇ Invest in Seoul, a city of care, safe daily life, and charm.
A public care system will also be tightly constructed.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will establish a social service support center, a dedicated support organization for care, and begin providing services such as caring for seriously ill elderly people in pairs.
In addition, the ‘Loneliness-Free Seoul’ (outside, out, out) policy is being implemented for isolated and reclusive citizens, and mental health support is provided, including psychological counseling, to relieve depression and anxiety.
28.1 billion won was also allocated to care for the elderly with dementia.
It operates the ‘Dasiga School 7th Grade Classroom’, a re-education program for the elderly, and also runs the ‘Seoul Table’ project, which provides food to undernourished seniors.
We continue to invest in ensuring a safe and enjoyable daily life.
We will supply 100,000 ‘Help Me’ safety bells and 10,000 safety warning lights to female and single-person workplaces, and provide crime prevention equipment to children in the first and second grades of elementary school.
Closed-circuit (CC) TV will be increased in parks and crime-vulnerable areas.
We also support the installation of sprinklers to respond to electric vehicle fires in apartments.
80.7 billion won was allocated to create a deep rainwater drainage tunnel in preparation for extreme heavy rain, and 110.9 billion won was allocated to support the operation of the Climate Companion Card.
In order to create a ‘globally attractive city’, projects such as a drone light show that embellishes Seoul’s night, hosting the Seoul International Garden Expo, operating the Seoul Moon, and operating the Han River Bus.
Attractions with the theme of ‘light’ will also be created in the Cheonggyecheon and DDP areas.
◇ ‘Space innovation’ by Seoul region… Veterans Affairs Budget Chart
In terms of balanced development, spatial innovation in each region is also promoted.
In the northwest region, the World Cup Park landscape forest will be created by December next year, and a soundproof wall specializing in design will be installed between Magok Bridge and Gayang Bridge.
In the northeastern region, 29.3 billion won will be spent to build an Oullim Sports Center for use by both disabled and non-disabled people and open a photography museum.
32.1 billion won will be spent on construction to transform Nodeul Island into a global art island.
In the southwestern region, 10.5 billion won will be invested to open the Seoul Museum of Art and expand cultural infrastructure.
The early morning self-driving bus (companion bus) route will be expanded to Dobong – Yeongdeungpo, Sanggye – Gangnam, Geumcheon – Seoul Station, and Eunpyeong – Yangjae, and self-driving village buses will also be introduced in Dongdaemun-gu, Seodaemun-gu, and Dongjak-gu.
The construction of an underground highway on the Dongbu Expressway is also being promoted at a cost of 64.4 billion won.
In celebration of the 80th anniversary of liberation in 2025, a veterans budget of 104.7 billion won was set aside to expand support for patriotic martyrs and people of merit who devoted themselves to their country.
The honorary allowance for veterans will be increased from 150,000 won to 200,000 won per month, and the honorary allowance for veterans will be increased from 100,000 won to 150,000 won per month.
In addition, living assistance allowances for persons of national merit or their families will be expanded from the existing allowances paid to those over 65 to all ages.
A new policy has been established to pay 200,000 won in condolences to those who have served the country, and a project to commemorate the 80th anniversary of liberation is also being prepared.
Yonhap News
