Gyeonggi councils return overseas travel budgets to share fiscal burden

Hanam City Council will return the entire 51 million won set aside this year for lawmakers’ overseas official trips, joining a wider cost-cutting movement across Gyeonggi Province.

The unanimous decision came as declining tax revenue heightened concern over local government finances. Councils described the move as a way to share the burden during difficult fiscal conditions and reduce spending considered nonessential.

Gyeonggi Provincial Council previously agreed to suspend overseas travel and return about 642 million won. Suwon City Council announced a return of about 160 million won, Anyang 120 million won and Icheon 93.5 million won. Councils in Yeoju, Siheung, Gwangmyeong and Pyeongtaek also joined the campaign, returning between 56 million won and 126 million won.

The overseas programs normally allow local lawmakers to observe administrative and policy practices abroad. In this case, the councils said the money should instead support residents as households face pressure from high prices, interest rates and exchange rates.

The returned allocations will be cut during reviews of supplementary budgets and used for spending aimed at residents’ livelihoods. Hanam council chairman Jung Byung-yong said the council should lead by example while city finances remain difficult, and promised to focus budget reviews and council work on areas that provide practical help to citizens.

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It is the council’s duty to lead by example when city finances are difficult