How the Lives of Gyeonggi Residents Will Change in 2026

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] The 2026 budget proposal for Gyeonggi Province totaling 40 trillion 577 billion won was confirmed after passing the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly plenary session on the 26th.

The province established this year's budget with a focus on supporting Gyeonggi's recovery momentum and creating practical changes in the lives of residents and the local economy. Here is a breakdown by sector of how the confirmed Gyeonggi Province budget will benefit the lives of Gyeonggi residents.

■873 Billion Won Invested in Major Livelihood and Transportation Policies

- A budget of 20 billion won was secured for the Ilsan Bridge toll reduction project, with tolls on Ilsan Bridge decreasing from 1,200 won to 600 won for passenger vehicles starting from the new year. The toll burden for Gyeonggi residents using Ilsan Bridge, including residents of Goyang, Paju, and Gimpo cities, will be significantly reduced.

- A total of 747 billion won will be invested in bus public management (476.9 billion won), Seoul metropolitan area transfer discounts (181.6 billion won), transportation fee support (THE Gyeonggi Pass, children, youth, seniors, etc.), and Ttogjang bus (demand-responsive bus) operations. The burden of public transportation use for residents will become easier and more convenient.

- Agricultural and fishery product discount coupons (18 billion won) and big sales events (10 billion won) for price stability, and a total of 75.6 billion won budget has been allocated for small business entrepreneurs' recovery and traditional market activation. 20.4 billion won will be invested to stabilize management for small and medium enterprises.

- 3.3 billion won in budget has been allocated to support victims of jeonse fraud, thoroughly protecting residents' housing rights. Gyeonggi Province's export breakwater policy, which was introduced this year, will continue, with 26.8 billion won invested to support export companies against external variables such as U.S. tariff barriers.

■1 Trillion 3787 Billion Won Invested for Seamless Welfare from Cradle to Grave

- 3 billion won has been allocated for financial support for those with extremely low credit ratings, providing emergency living funds to residents who are overlooked by institutional finance due to low credit scores.

- 986.2 billion won will be invested in lifelong customized comprehensive care. Nuri program support (497.8 billion won) and infertility treatment subsidies (49.7 billion won) reduce the burden of childbirth and childcare, and gaps in sudden care needs are filled through Anyone's Care (5 billion won) and the Nursing SOS Project (2.1 billion won). Additionally, assistance services for persons with disabilities (24 billion won) have been expanded to support their independence, and public medical services through Gyeonggi Province Medical Centers (37.4 billion won) are strengthened.

- Intensive investment in stream maintenance (241.7 billion won) and disaster prevention projects and living safety budgets (97.5 billion won) ensure residents' safety, while companion animal welfare (6.9 billion won) and human rights promotion (9 billion won) realize inclusive values.

■122.9 Billion Won Invested in Securing Future Industries and Climate Crisis Industry Development

- A total of 45.7 billion won will be intensively invested in core technology fields of the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as semiconductors, AI, and robots. In addition to fostering semiconductor specialists and creating a fabless ecosystem, robot industry promotion and residents-oriented AI demonstration projects will elevate Gyeonggi Province's industrial competitiveness to a global level.

- 7 billion won will be invested in bio startup cultivation, medical device demonstration support, and bio specialist training.

- Carbon neutral practice transforms climate crisis into a new opportunity for benefits through climate action opportunity income (35 billion won) that fills residents' wallets and climate insurance (3.4 billion won).

■35.3 Billion Won Invested in Promoting Gyeonggi Province's Key Policies to Improve Quality of Life for Residents

- Advanced medical welfare to protect the precious lives of female residents will be realized by introducing blood tests and AI-based breast cancer screening (6 billion won), dramatically increasing early detection rates.

- Introduction of a 4.5-day work week and work hour reduction systems (15 billion won) will institutionally establish 'life with rest' for the first time nationwide.

- The RE100 Income Village Project (12.8 billion won) will create a new income model where villages directly produce energy and residents share in the profits.

- Through youth AI growth voucher projects (1.2 billion won) to enhance youth's artificial intelligence (AI) utilization capabilities, support is provided to ensure all residents are not excluded from the benefits of technological innovation.

■647.1 Billion Won Invested in Regional Development and Balanced Growth

- 147.6 billion won will be invested in expanding core infrastructure such as roads and railways, and 35.7 billion won will be invested in expanding living-oriented infrastructure such as urban forests, libraries, and parking lots.

- Using the USFK Return Provided Area Development Fund (20 billion won) as seed money, new economic vitality will be breathed into the previously neglected northern Gyeonggi region, and 463.8 billion won will be invested in balanced development and preparation for new growth centers through northern road expansion projects and the Third Regional Balanced Development Project.

■Completing 'Uninterrupted Welfare' (500 Billion Won Scale) through Cooperative Governance with the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly

By working together with the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly and comprehensively restoring welfare budgets, essential welfare services that sustained residents' lives are not reduced and high-quality services at the same level as this year will continue.

- Maintaining customized elderly care: Elderly welfare centers (4 billion won), elderly counseling centers (1.2 billion won), elderly long-term care facility benefits (5.7 billion won), and other programs are restored to be responsible for the end for healthy and vibrant old age for seniors. The budget for community rehabilitation facilities for persons with disabilities (6.8 billion won) and disability welfare centers (2.7 billion won) is also secured to provide social participation and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.