[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Kim Byeong-nae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju, stated on the 1st regarding the 8th term of the elected government, “The Nam-gu I dream of is a city where everyone is happy and, above all, the quality of life is improved,” adding, “Through uninterrupted development of Nam-gu, I will ensure that 220,000 residents enjoy a vibrant and dignified life.”
The repeated emphasis on “uninterrupted development of Nam-gu” reflects his intention to actively incorporate the aspirations of local residents who expect greater progress for Nam-gu into the district administration.
At the inauguration ceremony held simply as a conversation with staff without any commemorative events or external guests, Mayor Kim emphasized, “The overwhelming support of 84% from the residents contains the hopes and wishes of 220,000 people.”
He also presented implementation plans to create a new future development for Nam-gu in the 8th term and to foster a vibrant and dignified life.
Mayor Kim announced his ambition to achieve the vision of the “4 Major Cities,” aiming for excellence in each field: “an economic city representing Gwangju,” “an advanced educational and cultural city with strengthened public education,” “a top welfare city where generations and classes prosper together,” and “a safe city centered on people and the environment.”
In particular, he showed a strong will to actively promote the “Economic-Education-Culture Special Zone Nam-gu Construction,” focusing on the economy as the foundation while allowing education and culture to flourish during the 8th term.
He said, “Nam-gu has been known as an education and culture special zone, but over the past four years, our public officials have steadily built the economic and industrial base, including the establishment of national and local industrial complexes and the designation of Gwangju’s first free economic zone. Therefore, in the 8th term, we will add the economy and devote all efforts to creating an economic-education-culture special zone.”
He explained that while the past four years laid the groundwork for future development, the upcoming four years will be a period when Nam-gu takes a step higher and achieves full-fledged growth.
Accordingly, regarding the economic city sector, Mayor Kim stated, “The core of Nam-gu’s development will be the Baegun Square and the New Deal projects in Yangnim, Sajik, and Bangnim 2-dong, the complex living SOC projects established in each neighborhood, the Daechon-dong Energy Industry Convergence Complex Comprehensive Support Center, and the Knowledge Industry Center, which will build the economic ecosystem.”
In the advanced educational and cultural city sector, he promised to strengthen the quality of education and culture by establishing a modern historical and cultural tourism road connecting the National Asia Culture Center and Yangnim-dong, fostering the digital content industry centered on Songam Industrial Complex, and revitalizing public education and supporting customized lifelong education through public-private-academic cooperation.
Furthermore, to provide the nation’s highest level of top welfare services, he plans to expand the Happy Welfare 7979 Center and the Visiting 7979 Volunteer Group, and strengthen care functions centered on local communities such as the Family Love Sharing Center, Dahamkke Care Center, and senior citizen centers.
Additionally, to create a safe city centered on people and the environment, he pledged to establish a Regional Building Safety Center and build a digital safety and health management system to ensure administration that protects residents’ safety from various disasters and accidents.
Mayor Kim said, “The direction Nam-gu should take is clear, and through uninterrupted development, I will definitely create changes in residents’ lives that they can feel,” adding, “I will do my best until the day when everyone’s happiness is complete.”
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