Gyeonggi Governor and Provincial Council clash over budget

Gyeonggi Governor Chu Mi-ae and the Gyeonggi Provincial Council remain in a deadlock over a supplementary budget, failing to reach an agreement before the Chuseok holiday. The conflict centers on the restoration of approximately 50 billion won in welfare and livelihood budgets that the provincial government had previously cut.

The Provincial Council's Budget and Accounts Special Committee proposed a second adjustment plan to restore 50 billion won, down from an initial request of 80 billion won. This revised amount targets personnel costs for the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center and the Gyeonggi Content Agency. Governor Chu has rejected these proposals, citing concerns over increased debt and interest burdens related to the use of regional development funds.

The Democratic Party within the Provincial Council has urged the Governor to listen to local voices, emphasizing that the requested funds are essential for social welfare services, including postpartum care support, small business assistance, and mobility support for the transportation vulnerable. While the Governor maintains that fiscal health is the priority, council members argue that the province's debt ratio does not currently justify a severe fiscal crisis.