Gapyeong County Allocates 404.5 Billion Won Budget for 2026…"Focused on Improving Quality of Life for Residents"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Gapyeong County will pursue key projects with an emphasis on 'selective concentration' that prioritizes improving residents' quality of life and preparing for the future, while maintaining a fiscal austerity framework for next year's budget.

On the 25th, the county announced plans to allocate a total budget of 404.5 billion won (389 billion won in general accounts and 15.6 billion won in special accounts) for 2026 and strategically concentrate investment in five core county administration sectors.

Suwon Ilbo examined key projects for next year based on the administrative address delivered by Gapyeong County Chief Seo Tae-won at the Gapyeong County Council.

- Expansion of Residents-Focused Living and Transportation Infrastructure

The county will restructure living and transportation infrastructure projects around 'residents-focused' initiatives and continue flood recovery projects worth 244 billion won through 2027. In particular, the county plans to actively cooperate with central government ministries to rapidly advance major arterial transportation networks including the Second Gyeongchun National Road, Homyeong Tunnel, National Route 75, and Provincial Road 387.

Improvements to public transportation services are also being prioritized. Starting next year, the county will implement a comprehensive overhaul of rural bus routes, extend Bus Route 1330-44 to Jamsil, increase Gyeonggi Pyeonhan G buses, and add transportation policies to ease nighttime taxi demand. Additionally, the county plans to accelerate projects to improve residential environments including completing Gapyeong-eup outer ring road by 2027 and purchasing land to expand parking spaces within the memorial park.

- Strengthening Childcare, Elderly, and Youth Welfare

Next year, the county will establish a 'Baro Hope Team' in cooperation with the police to provide one-stop support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. In particular, the county plans to actively support childcare needs for children, parents, and families through creating play experience facilities in the Cheongpyeong and Jojoong areas, establishing the Happiness Growth Childcare Center in Gapyeong-eup, and operating community-based public childcare hubs by region.

The county is also accelerating space creation for different generations. Plans include constructing a senior welfare center for the elderly, beginning construction of senior leisure facilities in the Jojoong area, designing youth spaces, and opening a lifelong learning center. Additionally, the county will establish a talent development foundation to unify scholarship, lifelong education, and youth support systems to expand the local talent base.

- Building Sustainable Culture and Tourism Convergence Models

Jara Island, registered as a provincial garden this year, will expand into year-round stay tourism content based on the provincial garden master plan. Through this, the county plans to build a culture-tourism convergence model by reviving the Outside Art Exhibition that began in 1981, operating workation centers, and providing educational programs at the video media center.

The county will also expand the Gapyeong Moa-Stay family tour model connecting rural experience vacation villages and regional resources such as the Suljieum and Environmental Disease Center. The Bukhan River Millennium Boat Route aims to complete Homyeong Wharf by 2026 and open the entire section by 2028. The Cheongpyeong abandoned railway trail, Sangmyeon 'RE100 Park', Jojoong-myeon archery range and trail, Bukmyeon Korean-American tourism and security park, and Yeonin Mountain camping ground improvement projects have already secured provincial funds, with design and construction work set to begin in earnest next year.

With the county having secured eligibility to apply for a peace economy special zone this year, it will conduct basic planning studies next year and develop strategic industries by converging tourism, forestry, and waterfront resources to create new growth engines for the local economy.

- Eco-Friendly Agriculture and Sustainable Future Foundation

The county has set the transition to eco-friendly and ecosystem-focused agriculture as a major goal for next year. It will resolve agricultural labor shortages and strengthen stable settlement foundations through promoting livestock-integrated farming, supporting foreign seasonal workers, and providing support for the agricultural workforce brokerage center and comprehensive settlement support centers for returning to farming and villages.

The county also plans to simultaneously improve ecological and residential environments through forest recovery in flood-affected areas, creation of honey source forests, establishment of an eco-friendly forest culture activation center, rural center revitalization, and implementation of basic livelihood hub projects. International cooperation will be expanded through launching an organic animal protection center, participating in 'Horizon Europe,' and conducting joint research on timber cities.

- Establishing Continuous Safety Systems for Disaster Preparedness

In light of the record flooding damage this year, the county will significantly strengthen its disaster safety net next year. It will establish a 'continuously managed safety system that manages invisible risks' through comprehensive surveys of landslide vulnerability areas, establishment of comprehensive flood and windstorm remediation basic plans, and advanced operations of an integrated control center based on 1,571 closed-circuit television cameras.

County Chief Seo Tae-won emphasized, "Over the past three years, despite crises and changes, we were able to stand up stronger because of the unity of residents and the dedication of public servants," and "I will continue participatory and communicative county administration where residents' voices directly become policy, keeping all aspects of administration focused on residents and carefully attending to even unseen places."