Kim Ikang, Candidate for Gwangju Seo-gu Mayor, Announces Four Major Economic Pledges

"Open Communication Channels to Actively Address Unreasonable Regulations and Issues"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Ikang, the Democratic Party candidate for Mayor of Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced four major economic pledges.

On the morning of the 12th, Kim held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council and stated, “As an economic expert and as a mayor who stands beside the residents of Seo-gu, I will revive small business owners and self-employed workers.”

He also expressed a strong commitment to actively resolving unreasonable regulations and issues under the responsibility of the mayor by fully opening communication channels with the field.

He continued, “I will introduce an ombudsman system directly under the mayor to promptly resolve various regulations and difficulties faced by small and medium enterprises and small business owners,” and added, “I will establish a stepping stone for ‘Restart’ for small business owners who closed due to COVID-19.”

For small business owners who want to close their businesses but face a heavy burden with an average closure cost approaching 14 million KRW due to COVID-19, partial support for closure costs will be provided, and a ‘Rechallenge Incentive’ to help them restart will also be actively supported.

Additionally, a ‘Small Business Vitality Support Center’ will be established, and support personnel for small business owners will be additionally assigned to administrative welfare centers to provide more personalized support nearby.

Furthermore, he emphasized, “We will promote regional industrial revitalization by franchising successful small business owners’ profit models with distinctive competitiveness,” and added, “We will expand consumer benefits such as supporting franchise store entry into the Gwangju Public Delivery App and discount promotions to increase sales and provide a stable sales network for small business owners.”

He also promised, “To revitalize Yangdong Market, which has been stagnant since COVID-19, we will increase population inflow effects by promoting a cultural tourism traditional market tour program linked with local festivals and tourist attractions, and expand traditional market management support such as utilizing market managers and operating online delivery services.”

He added, “I am continuing close communication with the field while conducting an election campaign walking 20,000 steps a day,” and said, “I will become a ‘Mayor Beside You’ by capturing even the smallest voices in policies and systems.”