Candidates Kang Gijeong and Kim Youngrok Join Hands for 'Gwangju-Jeonnam Win-Win Development'

Coexistence Policy Agreement... Official Organization Established Since Inauguration

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kang Gijeong, candidate for mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Kim Youngrok, candidate for governor of Jeonnam Province, have joined hands for the mutual development of Gwangju and Jeonnam.

On the afternoon of the 16th, the two candidates signed a ‘Mutual Growth Policy Agreement Ceremony’ at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Gwangju, promising to cooperate jointly for regional mutual development.

In particular, to ensure the mutual development and successful cooperation between Gwangju and Jeonnam, they plan to establish a ‘Mutual Growth Special Committee’ directly under the candidates and form specialized committees in various fields to diversify cooperative activities.

After being elected, they intend to launch an official organization to continue discussions on mutual development.

The mutual growth agenda agreed upon by the two candidates includes ▲joint attraction of advanced future industries such as semiconductors ▲expansion of mutual exchange and cooperation in logistics, human resources, tourism, including transportation networks such as metropolitan railroads and highways ▲economic integration, administrative integration, and living zone integration.

First, to attract advanced future industries, which are the food source of Gwangju and Jeonnam, they will actively promote the semiconductor industry, AI industry, advanced medical complex industry, next-generation battery industry, autonomous driving mobility industry, RE100 energy industry, Southwest region nuclear medical center, and establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam.

Additionally, to build a dense metropolitan transportation network, they plan to cooperate actively on constructing metropolitan railroad networks between Gwangju and Naju, and Gwangju and Hwasun; establishing a circular transportation network connecting Naju, Hwasun, Damyang, and Jangseong centered on Gwangju; building highway networks between Gwangju and Wando, Gwangju and Goheung, and Gwangju, Yeongam, and Jindo; constructing a West Coast high-speed rail network; speeding up the Gwangju-Suncheon section of the Gyeongjeon Line; introducing metropolitan buses; and resolving issues related to rural and fishing village buses.

They will also actively cooperate on highly sensitive regional issues such as the relocation of military airports, urban development and environmental issues, improving educational environments to enhance students’ academic performance, and promoting special local autonomous bodies, aiming to build a living community beyond an economic community.

Furthermore, they agreed to mutually cooperate on projects such as relocating the Jeonnam Dormitory to Gwangju and expanding the issuance of Jeonnam Love Resident Cards and Gwangju Citizen Cards.

Candidate Kim said, “Jeonnam and Gwangju are historical, cultural, and economic communities that share the same origin and growth. I am pleased that Jeonnam and Gwangju will jointly promote future growth engines that will guarantee the next 100 years of Korea’s future,” adding, “We will spare no effort to promote regional balanced development and build a society where everyone prospers through mutual cooperation.”

Candidate Kang stated, “The 17 metropolitan and provincial governments cannot prevent concentration in the metropolitan area by competing individually. We will work together to create the first mutual growth pledge of Gwangju and Jeonnam, a semiconductor specialized complex, by utilizing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s ‘Opportunity Development Zone’ regional balanced development policy,” and added, “Based on the determination and will of leaders and the creativity of public officials, we will create a greater Jeonnam for a greater Gwangju.”