SUWON — Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae said on the 26th that warning about the severity of the province's fiscal crisis does not mean the government will abandon necessary programs, addressing concerns that some projects could be cut in the 2027 budget.
In a post on her Facebook account, Choo said available revenue for next year is expected to fall by about 2 trillion won from 3.5 trillion won in 2026.
"Even if we issue as much local debt as possible and mobilize all remaining funds, it will be difficult to accommodate programs and spending at the same level as 2026," she said. "That is why I keep saying this is a fiscal crisis."
Choo also stressed that next year's budget has not been finalized, apparently responding to critics who have treated cuts to disability-related spending as a done deal ahead of the budget's confirmation.
"Working-level departments are in the process of consulting with the council," she said. "What is under review now reflects state-subsidized projects and legally mandated spending first, within the given revenue conditions."
She added that the province will mobilize as much available funding as possible, including local bonds and reserve funds. "We will consult fully with the Gyeonggi Provincial Council and fill in the essential budget items one by one," she said.
On the specific concerns raised, Choo pledged closer attention to disability-related spending. "We will look at it even more carefully," she said. "We will take special care to ensure that no hardship arises in the lives of people with disabilities and their families."
"Speaking about the severity of the fiscal crisis does not mean giving up on people's livelihoods," she said. "It means asking that we find solutions together to protect the livelihoods that must be defended even in difficult circumstances."
She asked for understanding, saying she hoped there would be no unnecessary misunderstanding and urging residents to join efforts to secure revenue.