Gyeonggi Provincial Council budget and integrity debates

The Gyeonggi Provincial Council is engaged in intense debates regarding the province’s 2026 second supplementary budget. Initial discussions centered on a clash between political factions over fiscal management. The Democratic Party argued that while the debt-to-budget ratio remains below the 25% legal threshold, structural revenue and expenditure issues must be addressed without cutting essential livelihood and welfare projects. In contrast, the People Power Party criticized the budget as a “principle-less, quota-based cut” that relies on inaccurate revenue projections and uses funds to cover existing debts.

As deliberations continued during the 393rd extraordinary session, council members raised specific concerns regarding unilateral budget reductions. Notable criticisms were directed at a 44.7% cut to the ‘Caregiving SOS Project’, which threatens support for approximately 600 beneficiaries, and a 53.6 billion won reduction implemented without prior consultation. The council also addressed the scaling back of the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival budget.

Alongside fiscal debates, the council moved to address institutional integrity. Speaker Nam Jong-seop introduced an amendment to the Gyeonggi Provincial Council Member Code of Conduct Ordinance, which received support from 155 members. The amendment seeks to mandate annual anti-corruption training for all provincial council members to restore public trust.