[Interview] 'Public Conflict Resolver'... Kim Sang-ho, Hanam Mayor, "I Will Build a Self-Sufficient City in the 4th Industrial Era"

Accelerating 'Attracting Companies', 'Growing Companies', and 'Reshaping the Corporate Ecosystem'
Plan to Attract Universities in the Data Industry Sector to the Former US Camp Colburn Site

Kim Sang-ho, Mayor of Hanam

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] After the announcement of the 3rd phase new towns, in January 2019, Hanam Mayor Kim Sang-ho visited the local administrative welfare center to attend a residents' meeting.

At that time, residents whose land had been expropriated blocked Mayor Kim's entry into the welfare center, demanding "Absolute opposition to Gyosan New Town" and "Mayor's resignation." In the process, some enraged residents threw flour and eggs, which they had prepared in advance, at Mayor Kim in a fierce protest.

The tense area quickly turned into chaos, and Mayor Kim and his aides were covered with flour thrown by the residents. However, Mayor Kim did not avoid the situation he faced.

After continuous communication and persuasion with the residents, a 'Civil-Government-Public Council' was formed. The 'Council' is a kind of 'citizen participation system' where local residents take the lead and related organizations such as LH, the new town project implementer, participate to resolve common issues.

This is known as one of the exemplary public conflict resolution methods during the 7th term of Hanam city administration.

Panoramic view of Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province [Hanam-si]

In an interview with this paper, Mayor Kim Sang-ho said, "In Hanam's case, rapid urban development has expanded the scope of conflicts," adding, "Public conflicts themselves cannot be avoided, but it is the responsibility of local governments to reduce the social costs and side effects caused by conflicts and to produce healthy outcomes."

Hanam City, which has experienced frequent public conflicts due to successive new town developments such as Gyosan, Misa, Wirye, and Gam-il, accepted public conflicts as an inevitable product in the process of democratic development.

Hanam City created an 'ordinance' and established a specialized committee called the 'Public Conflict Deliberation Committee' to prevent and resolve public conflicts. Through this, they manage the process from the stage of conflict occurrence.

The advisory body, the 'Centennial City Committee,' also functions to prevent conflicts by conducting sufficient deliberation before policy implementation.

Mayor Kim explained, "The core of resolving public conflicts is 'citizen cooperation,'" adding, "'Hanam' is like a tree aiming for a forest, the 'citizen community' is the strong roots, and 'citizen cooperation' is the trunk."

GTX-D Line Kimpo-Hanam Original Plan Reflection Urging Protest (Photo by Kim Sang-ho, Mayor of Hanam, far left) [Hanam City]

Hanam City's goal is to move away from being a 'bedroom town' and transform an area where manufacturing cannot enter due to regulations into a self-sufficient city of the 4th industrial revolution.

Mayor Kim stated, "To realize the 'Hanam-type self-sufficient city,' we are planning to 'attract companies,' 'grow companies,' and 'restructure the corporate ecosystem.'"

He continued, "With the geographical advantage of being accessible from all directions and the natural environment as a backdrop, a large-scale new town is being constructed, and the population is expected to increase by more than 450,000," adding, "The opening of Subway Line 5 and the confirmation of Lines 3 and 9, among other metropolitan railway networks, provide optimal conditions for attracting companies," expressing confidence in building a self-sufficient city.

To this end, they are meeting with over 150 companies and attracting promising bio companies to the Choi Industrial Area, while the Hanam Startup Campus supports the growth of startups with excellent potential in the bio-health sector.

Additionally, they plan to strengthen self-sufficiency capabilities by creating three major ecosystems?'small and medium enterprises,' 'innovative ventures and startups,' and 'advanced and strong small companies'?linked with development hubs such as Gyosan New Town's self-sufficient land, Camp Colbern, and the H2·H3 projects.

The city is also promoting university attraction and launched the 'Hanam City University Attraction Committee' last month.

Hanam City Initiates Efforts to Attract Universities in AI and Data Industry Fields [Hanam City]

There is a plan to attract the top university in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and data industry fields to the former US military return site, 'Camp Colbern.'

Mayor Kim said, "Through attracting universities, we will nurture creative talents who will lead Hanam and South Korea into the 4th industrial era, and further into the era of aging and climate crisis."

Recently, ambassadors from 16 EU countries visited Hanam City. Mayor Kim is also engaging in diplomatic activities to support global exchanges for local youth.

He said, "If I had not become a politician, I probably would have become a diplomat and played such a role," adding, "I am happy to be playing the role of a diplomat as a mayor now."