District heads in Seoul on Tuesday called for swift central government action to ease the financial burden of the Park Geun-hye administration’s free child care policies.

In a press briefing, 10 district chiefs warned of drastic action if their demand was not met.

They asked the central government to cover the 270 billion won ($241 million) further needed to meet the costs of the welfare services.

“The necessary budgets of the district offices have increased 518 billion won compared to those of the previous government plan in order to cover all infants, including 210,000 from families in the top 30 percent income bracket in the city,” the district heads explained in their joint statement.

“Most of the budget set aside for the policies will run out in September or October.”

Infants from households in the top 30 percent income bracket account for 42 percent of those nationwide, making the financial burden for Seoul City and its districts heavier than other regions.

“We (Seoul City and its district offices) denounce the irresponsibility of the central government and the National Assembly which have pushed for the welfare plan without considering local governments’ financial status and driven them to the brink of failure.”

They demanded the central government increase its financial contribution ratio to 40 percent from the current 20 percent.

A revised bill that requires the state to shoulder 40 percent of the budget has been pending in the National Assembly for seven months.

Meanwhile, issuing a separate statement on the same day, Gangnam District Office strongly rebuking the other district offices and the city government.

“The city government should take responsibility for triggering this imminent chaos in child care services,” the Gangnam office said in its statement, adding “Even though the National Assembly is the one to blame for expanding the coverage range without much consultation with local governments, Seoul City’s lack of preparation is another reason for this debacle.”

The Gangnam office, for which Shin Yeon-hee of the ruling Saenuri Party serves as governor, has been at odds with the Seoul City government since Mayor Park Won-soon from the Democratic Party took office in late 2011.

The most recent tug-of-war between the mayor and the governor was over a redevelopment plan for a run-down residential area called Guryong Village in the Gangnam district.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)