Government Pushes to Expand Tax Deductions and Allow Corporate Donations for Hometown Love Donation System

[Anchor]

To address the crisis of regional depopulation, the government is pushing for institutional improvements, such as expanding tax deductions for the Hometown Love Donation System and permitting corporate donations. Awards were also presented to 15 local governments with outstanding performance in operating the system.

Reporter Song In-ho has the details.

[Reporter]

Last year's nationwide fundraising through the Hometown Love Donation System surpassed 150 billion KRW, more than doubling from its first year, just three years after the system's introduction.

About 92 percent of the total funds raised went to non-metropolitan areas, and the average amount raised by 89 population-declining regions was 1.7 times higher than that of other areas.

In particular, a procession of donations followed areas hit by major natural disasters such as wildfires and floods, which was evaluated as a great help in overcoming disasters.

At the 2nd Hometown Love Donation Awards, co-hosted by SBS and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 15 local governments were selected for achieving results where donations led to "regional transformation."

Goheung County in South Jeolla Province, which resolved the medical vacuum in pediatrics and adolescents; Yeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province, which connected donations to tourism; and Anseong City in Gyeonggi Province, which recorded the highest fundraising performance in Gyeonggi Province for two consecutive years, won the grand prizes.

[Gong Young-min / Governor of Goheung County, South Jeolla Province (Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City): We are continuing projects to honor the two angels, grandmothers Marianne and Margaret, on Srokdo Island. When we designated donations for this, a lot of donation funds have been coming in.]

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jung District in Daejeon, and Busan Metropolitan City won three places each for gold, silver, and bronze awards, while Boryeong City, Yeosu City, and Yeoncheon County received special awards.

[Kim Duk-hyun / Mayor of Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province: We will do our utmost to further revitalize the Hometown Love Donation System.]

To spread donations, the government is stepping up institutional improvements.

[Yun Ho-jung / Minister of the Interior and Safety: I also promise to steadily push for necessary institutional improvements, such as expanding tax deductions while introducing corporate donations.]

With growing calls from regions to expand the full tax deduction range, which is currently up to 100,000 KRW, to 200,000 KRW or more, attention is focused on whether the central government will accept this.

(Video Editing: Kim Jong-tae, VJ: Kim Hyung-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.