경기도의회·기초의회, 잇단 해외연수비 자진 반납 “재정 고통 분담”

South Korea's Gyeonggi Province's municipal and local councils have come together to voluntarily return foreign study expenses, contributing to their financial distress. The Hanam City Council announced on the 31st that it would return all 510 million won of the budget allocated for overseas official trips this year, after considering the difficult financial circumstances.

The overseas study programs allow local officials to directly experience and integrate advanced local administration and policies from abroad. This movement of voluntarily returning overseas study budgets is gaining momentum across the province. The Gyeonggi Provincial Council had pledged to return approximately 6.42 billion won in budget, following the declaration of 'financial emergency' by Governor Kim Yeon-kyo.

The councils have been practicing a tight fiscal policy, cutting non-essential and duplicated budget expenditures. Moreover, the Suwon City Council returned 1.6 billion won, the Ansan City Council returned 1.2 billion won, and the Icheon City Council returned 935 million won. Numerous other local councils in the province have also participated, including Gwangju City Council (725 million won), Seongnam City Council (640 million won), Guangmyeong City Council (560 million won), Paldal City Council (1.26 billion won), and others.

These actions are driven by the need to overcome the deterioration of local finances and ensure the well-being of the public. The decision to return foreign study budgets was made by the councils in consideration of the escalating costs of essential items, high interest rates, and rising inflation, which are exacerbating public economic distress.

The returned foreign study budget will be adjusted within the additional budget proposal (추경) and allocated to areas that provide tangible benefits to citizens in the budget deliberation and decision-making process. Hanam City Council Chairman Park Bong-young stated, "When the municipal budget is tight, it is appropriate for the city council to demonstrate prudence and compassion," and expressed his commitment to using the budget efficiently in areas that truly benefit the citizens.