Kim Jae-won, Michuhol District Council Member: "The Key to Welfare Circulation is Resources and Personnel... A Community-Centered Donation System is Needed"

Voices demanding the sustainability of local welfare policies and the strengthening of a community-centered administrative system have emerged from the Planning and Administration Committee of the Michuhol District Council.

Kim Jae-won, a Michuhol District Council Member (People Power Party·Doha 1·2·3, Juan 5·6), pointed out the need for improvement in the structure of welfare resource provision and the operation of administrative personnel by citing the 'Good Community' welfare project in Yonghyeon 3-dong during the first Planning and Administration Committee meeting of the 293rd extraordinary session held on January 28.

Kim stated, "Looking at the 'Together Care' project being promoted in Yonghyeon 3-dong, the total project cost amounts to about 20 to 30 million won," and asked, "I wonder how this funding is secured."

In response, Shin Sang-il, the head of Yonghyeon 3-dong, explained, "Through the Good Community project, a fund of about 20 million won is created annually, and resources are secured through participation from good stores, markets, individuals, and organizations in the community," adding, "In 2023, we implemented the Good Community project for the first time in Incheon City."

Kim evaluated, "For the welfare safety net to function, a virtuous cycle structure is key, and the starting point is stable resources," noting that "Yonghyeon 3-dong has created an exemplary case based on the will of the person in charge and local understanding."

He then mentioned the district office's position rotation system, stating, "Welfare work requires an understanding of local characteristics, commercial areas, and resident relationships," and pointed out, "Frequent personnel changes can undermine the sustainability of the donation culture and welfare projects." He emphasized that projects like operating good stores are important for the field experience of the person in charge.

Kim also inquired, "Is there currently any item in the community evaluation criteria that includes donation culture or the creation of a local virtuous cycle structure?" and demanded institutional support for strengthening the community-centered administrative system.

In response, the executive branch stated, "While donation culture is not reflected as a single item in the evaluation, it may be included in some comprehensive items," and added, "We will actively review the inclusion of evaluation criteria in consultation with the welfare department in the future."

Kim remarked, "If the donation culture is institutionally supported, a welfare ecosystem can be formed, allowing for immediate support in crisis situations," and emphasized, "There is a need to consider evaluation criteria and personnel operations to establish a community-centered welfare system."