Uiseong County Council member calls for festival budget reform

Uiseong County Council member Kim Woo-jung has called for a major overhaul of how the local government allocates budgets for festivals and events. During a recent session of the 292nd extraordinary meeting, Kim criticized the repetitive and wasteful nature of spending large sums on short-term entertainment rather than long-term regional benefits.

Kim highlighted several specific expenditures, noting that the Uiseong Youth Water Festival cost 180 million won, while the Uiseong Summer Music Festa was allocated 300 million won for only four hours of performance. Other mentioned events include the Sansuyu Festival, which saw its budget increase to 250 million won, and the Namdaecheon Cherry Blossom Festival, which cost 150 million won. Kim expressed concern that while hundreds of millions are spent on one-time performances, essential budgets for resident safety and flood recovery are often delayed.

To address public distrust, Kim demanded full transparency regarding contract methods, performance fees, and the use of local versus external agencies. The council member urged the county to shift from festivals centered on famous singers to those that promote Uiseong’s identity and stimulate the local economy, suggesting that saved funds should be redirected toward practical welfare, such as youth allowances.