Politics · South Korea · 20 hrs ago
Dangjin council approves ordinance for 300,000-won resident payments
Dangjin City Council approved an ordinance for a one-time economic recovery payment to residents of Dangjin, South Korea.
The plan would give about 174,000 people 300,000 won each in local currency, including eligible foreign residents.
A similar proposal failed in an August council vote, but the revised ordinance sets out conditions for payments, such as economic hardship or a loss of local business activity.
It also requires the city to explain its reasons and assess the payment’s effects afterward.
Dangjin plans to request 530 billion won in next year’s budget and aims to distribute the money before Lunar New Year.
The budget still needs council approval, and some members question whether the money should instead go to other priorities, including road construction.
Dangjin City Council approved an ordinance allowing the city to pay residents 300,000 won each before Lunar New Year.
The vote on October 23 was 12 in favour, with one abstention among 13 members present.
The city plans to seek 53 billion won in its next budget for payments to about 174,000 people, including eligible foreign residents.
The payments would be made in local currency, but the budget still needs council approval.
The ordinance requires the city to report its payment plan before budgeting and publish an assessment of results after the programme.
- Who
- Dangjin City and its city council. The proposed recipients are about 174,000 residents, including marriage migrants and permanent residents.
- What
- The council approved an ordinance for payments of 300,000 won per eligible person in local currency. The city plans to include 53 billion won for the scheme in its next budget.
- When
- The ordinance passed on October 23, 2026. Payments are targeted for before Lunar New Year in 2027, subject to budget approval.
- Where
- Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
- Why
- The city says the payments are intended to support residents and revive the local economy amid concerns about economic strain and weaker local spending.
Dangjin City and supporters
Critics of the payments
Purpose
Dangjin City and supporters
The city says the payments would support residents and local economic activity.
Critics of the payments
Critics say the money should go to other future needs and warn the scheme could be a populist policy.
Conditions
Dangjin City and supporters
Supporters say the revised ordinance sets circumstances for payments and requires assessment of their effects.
Critics of the payments
Critics say the city must provide a sound basis for payment, and that budget approval remains to be decided.
The council rejected an earlier version of the ordinance in a 7-7 vote.
The council passed the revised ordinance by 12 votes, with one abstention among 13 members present.
The city aims to make the payments if the proposed budget is approved.
- Payment
- 300,000 won per eligible person
- Planned budget
- 53 billion won
- Potential recipients
- About 174,000 people, including eligible foreign residents
- Payment method
- Local currency
- Vote
- 12 in favour and one abstention among 13 members present
- Oversight
- The city must report its payment plan before budgeting and publish an assessment within six months after the spending deadline
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What people are saying
지급 계획을 예산 편성 전 시의회에 보고하고, 지급 후에는 전문기관 성과·평가를 거쳐 그 결과를 시의회에 제출 공개하도록 수정의결했다
지금 당진에 국도 32호선 우회도로 건설도 그렇고 써야 할 돈이 많은데 미래를 위해 투자해야지, 30만원 지급은 선심성 공약
선심성 정책은 반대해 기권했다