Securing Brighter Futures: Gangwon Office of Education Cheers Extension of Tobacco Consumption Tax

Breaking News = On the 6th, the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Office of Education welcomed the government’s push to extend the tobacco consumption tax sunset date by two years (reported on page 2 of the 29th of last month).

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety submitted and passed a revision to the ‘Local Tax Act’ to the Cabinet on the 5th, extending the sunset date of the provision that sets 43.99% of the tobacco consumption tax as a source of local education tax for two more years until December 31, 2026.

The Provincial Office of Education said, “This extension has great significance in that it has laid the foundation for operating quality education programs by securing educational resources in the Gangwon region.”

However, he said, “It is regrettable that this plan was only a temporary extension for two years,” and urged, “Please establish a plan to secure more long-term and stable financial resources so that education for future generations can continue without interruption.”

Originally, this provision was scheduled to expire on December 31 of this year. In this case, the annual transfer funds of 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education across the country will be reduced by approximately 1.6 trillion won. The National Council of Metropolitan and Provincial Superintendents of Education has requested an extension of the deadline, saying that education finances are difficult due to a tax revenue deficit.

The Provincial Office of Education said, “We will faithfully fulfill our responsibilities so that this decision becomes a stepping stone for educational innovation and regional development in our region.”