Namyangju Mayor proposes legal reforms for farmers and local finances

Namyangju Mayor Choi Hyun-deok is advocating for legislative changes to alleviate burdens on local farmers and reduce the city's growing financial strain from long-term care benefits. The city is currently conducting field investigations into approximately 14,000 plots of farmland suspected of illegal use, including unauthorized conversion and improper leasing, to ensure land is used by actual cultivators.

Mayor Choi has submitted several proposals to the National Assembly, including the right to install essential farming facilities like restrooms and parking lots within Green Belt areas. He also requested that the government distinguish between intentional land speculation and minor, customary violations by elderly farmers.

Regarding social welfare, the Mayor highlighted that Namyangju's long-term care benefit budget is projected to reach 75.5 billion won this year, a 47% increase in two years. Despite having a high elderly population, the city's facility benefit burden is the highest among 31 cities in Gyeonggi Province. Choi is calling for the national government to expand its responsibility by converting these costs into national duties or increasing national subsidies to at least 80%.