Expectation of expansion of welfare recipients and transfer of administrative authority when Cheongju is designated as a special city

An analysis showed that if Cheongju City is designated as a special city, the range of beneficiaries of basic livelihood security and basic pension could become wider than it is now.

Oh Myeong-geun, head of the Cheongju City Government Research Institute's research division, made this announcement at the 'Special City Designation, Future Grand Debate on Cheongju as a Special Citizen City' held at the Cheongju Cultural Manufacturing Center's performance hall at the Korea Crafts Center on the 30th.

Cheongju currently considers up to 53 million won of assets as basic assets necessary for living and excludes them from the calculation when considering whether to receive basic livelihood security.

This basic asset (amount) varies depending on where you live.

Seoul is 99 million won, Gyeonggi is 80 million won, and metropolitan cities, Sejong and the special city of Changwon are 77 million won. Cheongju is classified as ‘other regions’ with the lowest amount applied, at 53 million won.

If Cheongju is designated as a special city and is subject to the same standards as Changwon, the deduction amount will increase by 24 million won.

If the amount subtracted increases, the likelihood that Cheongju citizens will be designated as basic livelihood recipients increases because their income will be undercalculated even if their assets remain the same.

The basic pension threshold is also lowered.

When considering whether seniors aged 65 or older can receive basic pension, Cheongju currently deducts up to 85 million won in assets from the calculation, but when it becomes a special city, this amount will increase by 50 million won to 135 million won.

First, this effect has already been seen in Changwon, which became a special city.

Changwon's welfare benefit property standards rose to the level of a 'big city' after the launch of a special city in 2022, and about 10,000 people received new benefits.

The fire safety grant tax used to expand firefighting and safety facilities also increased by more than 50%, securing an additional 10 billion won over 5 years.

When a special city becomes a special city, some administrative powers are also transferred to the city.

The pre-approval process from the governor will be eliminated when permitting buildings with 51 floors or more or a total floor area of ​​200,000 m2 or more, and the city can handle some tasks directly, such as approving basic plans for apartment remodeling.

There can also be two deputy mayors.

Director Oh said, “If the welfare sector is the first change that citizens will feel, the long-term effect of shortening the licensing period will be significant.”

Even if it becomes a special city, Cheongju is not separated from North Chungcheong Province and maintains its administrative district as ‘Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do.’

About 300 people, including citizens and experts, attended the discussion jointly organized by Cheongju City, the Cheongju City Government Research Institute, and the Cheongju City Sustainable Development Council.

Cheongju Mayor Lee Jang-seop said, “We will work together with citizens and do our best to designate the city as a special city.”