Gyeonggi Province Secures 4.6821 Trillion Won in Government Budget

As the 2013 government budget passed through the National Assembly plenary session, Gyeonggi Province has secured 4.6821 trillion won in government budget funds, a record high that is 396.5 billion won more than the previous year.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 1st, the province's government budget last year included 217.4 billion won in recovery expenses for foot-and-mouth disease and flood damage, which means an actual increase of 613.9 billion won in government budget funds when this is taken into account.

Not only is it the largest amount in history by figures, but the province's stance is that it is also a major qualitative achievement as all major priority projects of Gyeonggi Province, including GTX, Pyeongtaek Godeok Industrial Complex, and the Daegok~Sosa Double-Track Railway, are included.

The secured government budget first includes 10 billion won for the basic plan and feasibility study service of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Express Transit (GTX) and 936.8 billion won in project funds related to 13 railway lines to address traffic congestion in the Seoul metropolitan area. The government budget includes funds for railway infrastructure construction such as the Yeoju Line (Seongnam~Yeoju), Divided Line Extension (Ori~Suwon), Shinbundang Line Extension (Jeongja~Gwanggyo), Suin Line (Suwon~Incheon), Sosi~Wonsi, Gyeongui Line (Yongin~Munsan) Double-Track Railway, and Poseung~Pyeongtaek Single-Track Railway.

In particular, in the case of the Daegok~Sosa Double-Track Railway, it was converted from metropolitan rail to general railway, allowing Gyeonggi Province to reduce its budget burden by approximately 150 billion won.

Additionally, 13 billion won for infrastructure construction in Pyeongtaek Godeok Industrial Complex, where Samsung Electronics' entry was confirmed last year, was also secured. Gyeonggi Province sees this as providing an opportunity to accelerate Samsung Electronics' entry and create approximately 30,000 jobs.

In particular, the industrial water facility project, which had been problematic, will receive government budget support by sharing the burden between the metropolitan special account and the general account, and the Godeok Industrial Complex base development project is expected to proceed smoothly.

Furthermore, the province has successfully secured budget for infrastructure construction to create jobs, including road development in the Choji Bridge~Incheon section to revitalize the Yangchon Industrial Complex and Hagwun Industrial Complex, wastewater facilities in Jangja General Industrial Complex, access roads to Jeokseong Industrial Complex, and construction of a textile and sewing knowledge industry center.

In particular, 496.1 billion won in government budget was also secured for SOC projects in northern Gyeonggi region, which has poor base facilities due to development restrictions caused by various overlapping regulations.

Accordingly, the province will be able to continue various road projects that can resolve development and traffic congestion in northern Gyeonggi, including installation of Howon IC on the Outer Ring Expressway, Guri~Pocheon Private-Funded Expressway, National Route 3 Alternative Bypass Road, Jori~Beobwon~Sangsu National Local Road 56, Seoul~Munsan Expressway and Jinjeop Line, Gyeongwon Line, and Gyeongui Line Double-Track Railway.

The province evaluated that the reason for securing such a large government budget is the result of Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi-based National Assembly members coming together without regard to political party for the development of Gyeonggi Province. In particular, Gyeonggi Province noted that the contributions of Rep. Kim Hak-yong (Anseong) of the Saenuri Party and Rep. Choi Jae-seong (Namyangju Subdivision A) of the Democratic United Party, who serve as floor leaders of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee, were significant.

Regarding this budget, Rep. Kim Hak-yong stated, "Although SOC budget has been reduced due to expanded welfare budget, we have created a breakthrough opportunity for groundbreaking development through budget allocation for key projects in Gyeonggi Province's future development, including GTX, Pyeongtaek Godeok Industrial Complex, Daegok~Sosa, and northern Gyeonggi SOC projects."

Rep. Choi Jae-seong said there can be no distinction between ruling and opposition parties for Gyeonggi Province's development, placing significance on reflecting the National Local Road 84 budget between Choji and Incheon to revitalize Gimpo's Yangchon Industrial Complex and Hagwun Industrial Complex, and securing regional budgets including the Namyangju Beobwon-si establishment project and the construction of a global youth soccer center.

Meanwhile, Governor Kim Moon-soo said about this government budget securing, "Amid national financial difficulties, I am very grateful to Rep. Kim Hak-yong and Rep. Choi Jae-seong, along with other Gyeonggi Province-based representatives, for pooling their efforts to secure the largest budget in history," and added, "We will do our best to revitalize the livelihood economy through an early construction of railway networks including GTX, bringing about a revolution in public transportation culture, and creating jobs."