Naju Mayor Candidate Kang In-gyu: "I Will Support Positive Changes Made by Youth"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Kang In-gyu, the Democratic Party preliminary candidate for mayor of Naju City, announced on the 11th, "We will support and guarantee various aspects of life through a one-stop support platform for youth, living labs, cultural spaces, rental housing, and rental-type smart farms."

The main content is to promote a one-stop support platform, living labs, creation of cultural spaces, youth rental housing, and rental-type smart farms to support positive changes made by youth.

First, the youth center, established by remodeling the former Songwol-dong Administrative Welfare Center in July 2020, will be expanded and reorganized into a 'one-stop youth support platform' that integrates support for youth social, economic, and cultural activities.

Preliminary candidate Kang In-gyu said, "We will build a system that can provide integrated support from jobs and startups to clubs and cultural activities to support the lives of youth."

Next, there is a plan to build a 'Youth Living Lab' by utilizing the site of the former Hwanam Industry located in Juklim-dong.

The living lab, meaning a living laboratory, is an open laboratory where citizens directly participate to solve local problems and produce results.

Candidate Kang promised, "A life of challenge leads to change. We will support the challenges of youth trying to solve local problems through the Youth Living Lab."

Furthermore, Kang stated, "We will promote a complex cultural space for youth through remodeling the commercial area in Bitgaram-dong."

He promised to create a 'Youth Noriter,' saying, "It will be a hot place where youth can express their overflowing talents and energy."

Noriter is planned to consist of study cafes, chroma key rooms, community spaces, small performance halls, club rooms, shared offices, and exhibition spaces.

He also promised to promote 'Youth Rental Housing.' Candidate Kang In-gyu announced a pledge to guarantee youth housing rights, saying, "We will create an environment where youth can live comfortably by supplying youth rental housing for job seekers, young workers, and newlywed couples."

Lastly, Kang In-gyu, candidate for mayor of Naju City, promised to create a 'Youth Rental-type Smart Farm,' stating, "We will build state-of-the-art smart farm facilities with no initial facility investment burden so that youth can farm at affordable rents to settle in agriculture."

Naju City is considered the third youngest city among 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do, with a youth population ratio of 22.8% as of 2021 for those in their 20s and 30s.

Recently, due to the impact of COVID-19, the phenomenon of youth leaving the region has intensified, and as of last year, only Naju City and Muan County among the 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do showed a net inflow of youth population.

Considering the notable election participation of youth in their 20s and 30s in the last presidential election and Naju City's youth population ratio, how to capture the hearts of youth is expected to become a very important issue.

In contrast, it has been confirmed that no other mayoral candidates in Naju City, except Kang In-gyu, have presented specific youth pledges so far.

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr