Seoul’s two-year plan focuses on welfare

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon proposed a two-year city plan that focuses on welfare, economic harmony, jobs for young people and sustainable development of the capital.

Park revealed his plan on Monday under the new vision entitled “the city created and enjoyed by citizens together” and announced a set of about 285 projects for welfare, economy, culture, sustainable development and citizen’s rights.

The city plans to invest about 25 trillion won ($21 billion) in the new plan through the end of his term in 2014, according to city officials. 

“We will put citizens first regarding our city affairs and uphold their dreams and values from now on,” said Park.

The plan expands welfare for citizens in key fields such as housing, education, medicine and the budget for it is expected to account for 30 percent of the total city budget in 2014.

The city also plans to find out a total of 50,000 underprivileged citizens who haven’t received the public support because of administrative loopholes, city officials said.

Park pledged to become a “welfare mayor” in his inaugural speech in October that guarantees minimum quality of life for every citizen.

He also vowed to distribute more public housing that fits changing lifestyles and the needs of citizens as the public housing distribution rate can reach 7 percent, slightly lower than the OECD average of 10 percent.

For women and children, Park plans to establish a total of 280 public kindergartens, first in poor neighborhoods and to every neighborhood in the capital. He also set an ambitious goal to expand the rate of public kindergartens to reach 30 percent by 2020.

The plans will also support young people seeking to create their own businesses ― as many as 100 a year through its support program for young entrepreneurs ― and create more jobs supporting social enterprises, according to the city.

“The city will invest in creating jobs that values social values as the society experiences chronic unemployment,” said Park.

Other projects include building local communities in which citizens communicate, provide and receive help while conserving energy and expanding alternative energy.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)