The Seoul metropolitan government said on the 30th it will submit a total 51.506 trillion won budget proposal for 2026 to the Seoul Metropolitan Council, up 3.3915 trillion won (7.0%) from this year's main budget of 48.1145 trillion won, the largest ever. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, "Next year's budget will be concentrated on three key areas: 'accompanying the vulnerable, safety, and urban appeal.'"
First, it will inject 15.6 trillion won into the administration's core program of "accompanying the vulnerable," up 800 billion won from this year. That accounts for more than 30% of the total budget.
To provide stable housing for vulnerable groups, young people, and newlyweds, it will invest 1.0622 trillion won with a goal of supplying 24,000 public rental units. Mayor Oh said, "With the recent Oct. 15 real estate measures, worries and burdens about buying a home have increased," adding, "By 2031 we will start construction on 310,000 units and by 2035 complete 377,000 units. Next year, we plan to supply 24,388 public rental dwellings, including 4,000 'future homes.'" A housing promotion fund used for building youth安心 (安心) housing will be newly established and operated, and policies to revitalize redevelopment and reconstruction will also be pursued.
Support will continue for small business owners, small and midsize enterprises, and workers in precarious jobs. The city will expand comprehensive support for small business owners (31.1 billion won), increase new loan offerings (48.7 billion won), and bolster public delivery service promotion and payback (3.5 billion won), while operating a record-high number of "direct jobs" at 225,234, up 16,000 from a year earlier.
It will also inject 58.9 billion won into public job programs for people with disabilities, operating 5,500 positions, up 383 from the previous year, and expand opportunities for social participation through the opening of the Eoulrim Plaza (9.8 billion won) and sports centers (10.6 billion won).
To preemptively respond to urban disasters caused by climate change—such as heavy downpours, ground subsidence, and fires—the city will strengthen investment in the "citizen safety sector." It will enhance the durability of overall infrastructure and diversify inspection methods by rehabilitating water and sewage pipelines over 30 years old (447.7 billion won), replacing aging heat transmission pipes (6 billion won), and replacing aging facilities on subway Lines 1–8 (92.3 billion won).
It will also block new risk factors such as cyberattacks, digital service disruptions, and electric vehicle fires through digital safety infrastructure (33.2 billion won) and a smart fire detection system (900 million won). It will accelerate structural solutions for areas prone to chronic flooding by excavating three deep underground rainwater drainage tunnels and newly building or expanding rainwater pump stations.
A total of 693.9 billion won has been allocated for Greater Seoul metropolitan railways and urban rail construction, including GTX-A. The city plans to invest 149.5 billion won to improve major roads such as Yangjae-daero, aiming to more conveniently connect not only neighborhoods within Seoul but daily living zones across the entire metropolitan area.
Funds have also been allocated for citizens' health. Including "Wrist Doctor 9988 2.0," 600 million won will be spent certifying 3,000 "One Pleasing Whole-Grain Meal" restaurants that encourage whole-grain consumption. The city will take care of mental health by investing 800 million won solely in the Seoul Mind Convenience Store, which diagnoses and offers counseling for loneliness.
To strengthen Seoul's competitiveness, the city will also spend on nurturing future talent. With a plan to focus investment on "artificial intelligence (AI) and science and engineering talent development" and "industry promotion," it will allocate 131.5 billion won for youth job training schools and science and engineering scholarships, and of the 49.7 billion won future industry research and development (R&D) budget, it will put 10 billion won into the AI field.
The city will also speed up the creation of new landmarks in Seoul. Aiming to begin operations in 2027, it will fully launch construction and activation of the Namsan gondola (17 billion won) and focus on projects for Nodeul Island Global Arts Island (28.7 billion won) and the second Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (21 billion won).
The Seoul metropolitan government will maintain a sound fiscal stance next year. The size of next year's debt will be kept at around 11.6518 trillion won, the originally projected year-end level. Mayor Oh said, "This year, debt increased due to consumption coupons for livelihood recovery, but we kept to principles of sound finance with the determination not to increase the debt that future generations must repay," adding, "We will move vigorously toward a 'Premier Seoul' recognized by the world."