Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wan-su continued to speak out against the central government's fiscal management practices. At an expanded senior officials' meeting held at the provincial government building on Tuesday, Park criticized again that "the practice of shifting fiscal burdens to local governments when implementing national-level policies must be reformed."
"Gyeongsangnam-do is making every fiscal effort at the local government level, including providing livelihood support funds entirely from provincial budget without requiring contributions from cities and counties," Park said. "National-level policies such as the government's high oil price subsidies should also be pursued primarily with central government funds rather than passing the burden to local governments. This would be consistent with policy coherence and respect for local autonomy."
Park had previously criticized the government during its pursuit of livelihood recovery consumption coupons and rural basic income programs, saying that "government-led projects are being pushed without sufficient consultation with local governments, increasing the fiscal burden on localities."
At the meeting, Park also ordered the creation of a new "disaster special activity allowance" for neighborhood leaders known as Yi-jang and Tong-jang. The measure is intended to provide practical compensation commensurate with the field activities of these neighborhood leaders, who are the first to stand by residents when disasters strike. The move reflects the sharply increased workload of Yi-jang and Tong-jang amid recent frequent extreme weather events and large-scale disasters, and is interpreted as a commitment to provide administrative and financial support for their risk-laden activities. Gyeongsangnam-do plans to begin drafting a related ordinance and work with the provincial council and cities and counties to establish specific payment criteria and funding measures.
Park also called for improved treatment of childcare staff to enhance the quality of childcare services. He emphasized that a meeting to directly hear from childcare workers burdened by heavy workloads should be arranged promptly, and that immediately actionable measures such as improving the substitute workforce management system should be prepared.