Chung Dong-yeon: Gyeonggi Province Bears 1 Trillion Won in National Firefighter Personnel Costs

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon has voiced strong criticism regarding the financial burden placed on the province for national-level public servants, specifically focusing on firefighters. She asserts that the central government is failing to meet its financial obligations for the personnel costs of national firefighters stationed in Gyeonggi.

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National personnel costs should be borne by the central government, but the reality is the opposite.

Kim stated on her Facebook page that while national civil servant salaries are typically a central government responsibility, the reality in Gyeonggi is starkly different. She highlighted that out of Gyeonggi's approximately 40 trillion won budget, more than half is allocated to entrusted projects funded by the national government. Within the remaining 16 trillion won, the province is reportedly covering over 1 trillion won in personnel expenses for national civil servants.

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Out of Gyeonggi's approximately 40 trillion won budget, more than half is allocated to entrusted projects funded by the national government. Within the remaining 16 trillion won, the province is reportedly covering over 1 trillion won in personnel expenses for national civil servants.

Specifically, Kim pointed to the nationalization of firefighters, a process initiated a decade ago. Over the past ten years, the number of firefighters stationed in Gyeonggi has increased by 1.4 times, and associated costs, including salaries, have risen by 1.8 times. The governor claims Gyeonggi bears the majority of the expenses, exceeding 1.5 trillion won, for the approximately 11,000 national firefighters. The central government's contribution to these personnel costs is a mere 80 billion won, with only 30 billion won provided for other project expenses out of a total of 400 billion won.

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The central government provides only 80 billion won for personnel costs, and merely 30 billion won for other project expenses, out of a total of 400 billion won.

Governor Kim emphasized that Gyeonggi Province faces a severe fiscal challenge, having declared a "fiscal emergency situation" earlier in the week. She argued that the province's financial structure prevents it from accessing central government grants to cover deficits, leaving it unable to mitigate financial shortfalls. Consequently, she is urgently calling for comprehensive fiscal reform and a restructuring of the revenue system to address these imbalances.

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Gyeonggi Province cannot receive central government grants even if its finances are in deficit, making it impossible to fill the financial gap.