Chungbuk to Revise Governor Kim Young-hwan's Signature Projects Amid Effectiveness Concerns

The Chungbuk Provincial Government is set to revise or supplement several key projects championed by former Governor Kim Young-hwan, signaling a shift in policy direction. The "Working Bap-per" initiative, designed to support vulnerable populations through productive volunteer work, is under particular review.

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The 'Working Bap-per' program, while its policy intention to support vulnerable groups is understood, requires objective evaluation of its actual policy effects and sustainability. It is currently almost 100% a financial project, which does not align with economic logic or fiscal rules.

Lee Kang-il, chairman of the Chungbuk Great Transformation Transition Committee, expressed concerns about the "Working Bap-per" program's actual policy effects and sustainability. He noted that while the policy's intention to support the vulnerable is understood, its near-100% reliance on government funding raises questions about its alignment with economic logic and fiscal prudence. The program involves seniors and disabled individuals performing tasks like processing agricultural products or assembling goods in exchange for gift certificates.

Lee pointed out that the reported high participation numbers for "Working Bap-per" might be misleading due to repeated participation by a smaller core group. He also questioned the program's shift from a matching system with private companies to full government funding, emphasizing the need for a thorough evaluation of its long-term viability and impact. Last year, the program cost over 7.3 billion won, and this year's budget is over 9.2 billion won.

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We should not be swayed by numbers. Since it involves receiving compensation after performing simple tasks, many people participate multiple times, making the cumulative number of participants appear large, but the actual number of participants is less than 3,700 (average daily participants this year).

Additionally, the committee plans to review other projects, including the "Picture Book Garden 1937," which transformed the provincial government building into a library, and the "Damsan Bunker," a cultural space created in a former facility. The "Cheongpunggyo Bridge" project is also slated for reassessment, with a focus on safety concerns, parking availability, and tourism synergy. The committee stressed that these reviews are not immediate cancellations but rather a process to assess their expected benefits and actual effectiveness.

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The key challenge remaining is how to make the 'Picture Book Garden' a space that citizens and tourists will visit. Serious consideration is also needed for Damsan Bunker and Cheongpunggyo Bridge. For Cheongpunggyo Bridge, there are concerns about safety, parking, and tourism synergy.