Imsil County secured special grants totaling KRW 1.5 billion (approximately $1.13 million) from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for the first half of this year. The funding will allow the county to accelerate the expansion of local welfare infrastructure and to strengthen its disaster-response capabilities. Because the allocation targets both community-centered welfare and resident safety, officials expect tangible benefits for local residents.
As of 9:20 a.m. on the 14th, our reporting indicates the special grants amount to KRW 1.5 billion, divided into KRW 900 million for local projects and KRW 600 million for disaster-safety measures. Specifically, KRW 900 million was earmarked for the Imsil County Disabled Support Center construction (about $675,000), and KRW 600 million for the Baekicheon local-stream maintenance project (about $450,000).
Notably, the Disabled Support Center will be integrated with the ongoing Imsil Bandaevi Sports Center to create a multifaceted support system. Rather than functioning as a standalone welfare facility, the center will combine sports, welfare, and independence-support services under one roof. Observers say this approach should substantially improve practical access to services for people with disabilities in the region.
The county plans to bolster programs that help people with disabilities achieve self-sufficiency and to establish a one-stop service model that covers everything from welfare counseling to program referrals. Locals anticipate that systematizing services that were previously dispersed will enhance both convenience for users and overall policy efficiency.
The Baekicheon stream maintenance project included in the disaster-safety allocation is also significant for coping with heavy summer rainfall. Residents in the Hyanggyo-ri area of Cheongung-myeon have long raised concerns about levee overtopping and flooding of farmland during intense downpours. The maintenance work is expected to focus on easing those concerns and strengthening flood-prevention capacity.
Inside and outside the county, officials interpret the special grant as the result of sustained efforts to persuade the central government about local needs rather than as merely routine budget support. Imsil County reportedly coordinated with Representative Park Hee-seung and engaged in a multifaceted campaign to explain the projects’ necessity and urgency to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Shim Min, Imsil County chief, said, “Securing this special grant gives new momentum to projects that improve resident safety and address local issues. We will continue working to secure national funding to raise residents’ quality of life and improve living conditions.”
