Gwangju Mayor Candidate Joo Ki-hwan Announces 5 Major Visions and 8 Core Pledges for Gwangju Change

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Joo Gi-hwan, the preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangju from the People Power Party, announced five major visions, eight core pledges, and 70 practical pledges for the change of Gwangju.

On the afternoon of the 9th, Candidate Joo held a press conference at the Gwangju Metropolitan Council and stated, “I am a political comrade of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol,” adding, “Since last year, I have been contemplating ways for Gwangju and Honam to develop.”

He also added, “I will continuously communicate with President-elect Yoon to secure the budget.”

At this event, Candidate Joo presented five major visions for the development of Gwangju: ▲ Gwangju as the Silicon Valley of Korea and a leading city in advanced science ▲ Gwangju as the center city of Asian culture and arts ▲ Gwangju as a city with balanced development specialized by district ▲ Gwangju as a welfare city tailored for all generations ▲ Gwangju as a youth- and women-friendly city.

The eight core pledges included: ▲ Gwangju as Korea’s representative city for artificial intelligence ▲ Establishing a leading city for future mobility ▲ Relocation of Gwangju military airport ▲ Establishment of the Southwest Nuclear Medical Center ▲ Attraction of a large-scale complex shopping mall ▲ Creation of a complex amusement park and leisure park ‘G(L)and’ ▲ Establishment of the 5·18 International Institute for Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights ▲ Construction of the Gwangju-Yeongam expressway and Dalbit high-speed railway.

The 70 practical pledges introduced included the installation of the Mudeungsan cable car, creation of a youth-centered city called ‘Cheongchun City,’ establishment of the Hwangryonggang Jangnok Wetland National Garden, attraction of an AI gifted high school, support for elderly electric vehicle self-payment, supply of 10,000 rental-type youth happiness housing units, provision of 1 million won in happiness funds for ‘Mom’s 55 Life Journey,’ and opening of the underground road at Gwangju Station.

Other practical pledges and detailed contents will continue to be announced by sector.

Meanwhile, at the press conference, preliminary candidates from the People Power Party for basic local government heads, metropolitan council members, and basic council members attended, including Yang Hyeryeong, preliminary candidate for Dong-gu District Mayor; Kim Yongim, proportional representative preliminary candidate for Gwangju City Council; Park Jinwoo, preliminary candidate for Dong-gu Council; Choi Hyunsoo, preliminary candidate for Seo-gu Council; and Jeong Seungju and Jeon Suyeol, preliminary candidates for Buk-gu Council.