Dangjin City in South Chungcheong Province is pushing ahead with a plan to inject 53 billion won to provide 300,000 won per resident as an 'economic recovery support fund,' but the proposal is facing hurdles during the city council's deliberation process.

Dangjin City plans to distribute the support funds in the form of local currency to approximately 174,000 residents. The distribution is scheduled to take place before the upcoming Chuseok holiday. This project was one of the flagship campaign pledges made by Dangjin Mayor Kim Ki-jae during the last local elections.

Dangjin City explains that this support is a livelihood measure aimed at easing the financial burden on residents. In particular, the city expects that the use of local currency will directly revitalize the local economy, including traditional markets, neighborhood business districts, and small merchants.

Regarding funding, a Dangjin City official stated, 'Dangjin's fiscal self-reliance rate stands at 25.48%, which is higher than that of similarly sized basic local governments, so there should not be significant difficulty.' However, the specific scale of funding or detailed adjustment plans have not yet been disclosed, and the city intends to secure the budget through additional revenue sources and adjustments to project timelines.

Regarding the execution of the large-scale 53 billion won budget, Mayor Kim emphasized, 'Simply saving money is not the only responsible fiscal management; funds must be properly spent where they are truly needed.' He clarified his commitment to prioritizing the stability of residents' livelihoods, stating, 'Even if the overall economic indicators of the nation improve, it does not mean that the daily lives of each and every citizen will immediately get better.' In response to calls for caution regarding the project's promotion, he also took the position that 'the mayor will take responsibility and make the judgment.'

However, voices of concern are emerging within the city council. The relevant ordinance bill was voted down during a review by the Dangjin City Council's Industry and Construction Committee on the 7th, with a tight 3-to-3 tie between supporters and opponents. The Dangjin City Council is evenly split with the Democratic Party and the People Power Party each holding seven seats, making it difficult to guarantee smooth passage at the plenary session on the 11th. However, there is also the possibility that Dangjin City Council Chairman Kim Sun-ho (Democratic Party) could exercise his authority to introduce the ordinance bill at the plenary session.

City council members from the People Power Party point out that Dangjin's current economic indicators are not bad enough to warrant providing support funds to all residents. Given that the entire amount is funded by the city budget, they argue that the funding plan and the effect on revitalizing the local economy must be carefully examined. In particular, they expressed concern over a provision in the ordinance bill that would allow the mayor to unilaterally decide the scale, method, and timing of the support fund distribution.

Jeon Young-ok, chair of the Dangjin City Council's Industry and Construction Committee, stated, 'If 53 billion won of massive budget is to be invested, a funding plan and a post-evaluation plan are necessary,' adding that she could agree to a plan that strengthens support for vulnerable groups instead of providing funds to all residents.

With many local governments across the country experiencing financial difficulties and declaring emergency management, attention is focused on what conclusion Dangjin City's push for this large-scale support fund policy will reach.