[Anchor]

Amid an online petition demanding the resignation of Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, Governor Choo remarked, "There are those who are trying to drive out the daughter-in-law." Regarding Gyeonggi Province's financial strain, former Governor Kim Dong-yeon also stated his position for the first time.

Choi Ho-won reports.

[Reporter]

Gyeonggi Province has issued an official response regarding an online petition demanding Governor Choo Mi-ae's resignation over what petitioners called unreasonable budget cuts.

Although the full petition period was set for one month, the provincial government delivered its response in just four days once the number of participants surpassed 30,000, effectively cutting off further signatures.

Gyeonggi Province stated, "Essential livelihood budgets formulated last year only reflected nine months for this year," adding, "We express deep regret over the distortion of facts suggesting that livelihood budgets were deliberately slashed."

[Choo Mi-ae / Gyeonggi Province Governor (Yesterday) : "Only when all of you do well does Gyeonggi Province do well. I, Choo Mi-ae, will not be driven out. It seems there are some who are trying to kick out the daughter-in-law."]

To pursue fiscal austerity this year, the province decided to terminate its postpartum care subsidy—which provided 500,000 won per newborn—at the end of this month.

Budgets were also cut across the board, from various labor cost subsidies in the welfare sector to opportunity income payouts for artists and athletes, the issuance of discount coupons for agricultural products, and the operation of automated traffic enforcement cameras.

The provincial subsidy rate allocated to city and county projects was capped at 30 percent or lower, shifting a greater financial burden onto basic local governments.

[Choo Mi-ae / Gyeonggi Province Governor (At Gyeonggi Provincial Council on Sept. 3) : "We will review projects that have continued for more than three years from square one and evaluate whether there are overlapping or redundant programs between the province and municipal districts."]

As it came to light that Governor Choo, who has repeatedly stressed the fiscal crisis, signed a 1.22 billion won jeonse lease for a 156-square-meter apartment to serve as her official residence in June, a civic group filed a complaint yesterday (Sept. 15) against Governor Choo on charges including breach of trust and causing financial loss to the state treasury.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Council reinstated 58.9 billion won in livelihood budgets during the first preliminary review by standing committees and plans to pass the final bill in a plenary session the day after tomorrow (Sept. 18) following a review by the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.

Former Governor Kim Dong-yeon also stated his position on the financial difficulties for the first time yesterday (Sept. 15), stressing, "The province's debt-to-budget ratio stands at 12.86 percent, which is lower than the national average of 15.52 percent across cities and provinces," adding, "Expansionary fiscal policy to protect ordinary livelihoods was not a misstep, but a responsible choice."