Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung: "Grow Industry, Expand Culture, and Strengthen Care"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung stated, "'Growing industry, expanding culture, and strengthening care' marks the beginning of a new Gwangju."

On the morning of the 6th, Mayor Kang held a 100-day press conference for the 8th term at the city hall briefing room, saying, "The past 100 days were a period to create a blueprint and install an engine to move toward Gwangju, a city of opportunities where tomorrow shines."

He continued, "Entering a new era for Gwangju began with a farewell to the familiar," emphasizing, "Since the mayor had to change first, unnecessary tasks and mayor-centered ceremonial culture were eliminated and are being transformed into a citizen-centered ceremonial culture where citizens shine."

He also explained, "In place of the farewell to the familiar, a direct communication system was introduced to increase administrative transparency and make citizens the main agents of policy decisions," adding, "Direct communication is beginning through the citizen policy platform Gwangjuon, Monday dialogues with citizens from all walks of life, and policy conversations called Policy Picnics."

He evaluated the 100 days as a period prioritizing 'livelihood' and 'management' despite difficult circumstances such as the global financial crisis and high inflation and exchange rates, including visible 'win-win' with Jeonnam.

Mayor Kang said, "Since Jeonnam must grow for Gwangju to grow, we launched a joint promotion committee to foster the semiconductor industry, reached an agreement on the long-standing issue of establishing a development fund for the joint innovation city, and resolved the transfer of management rights for Dongbok Dam between Gwangju and Hwasun," adding, "We will rapidly build a metropolitan economic living zone by expanding intercity metropolitan transportation networks and discovering future food sources."

He also stated, "Immediately after taking office, I activated the Livelihood Economy Countermeasures Headquarters as my first approval, resumed the Win-Win Card, expanded special guarantee loan support for small business owners, and secured the largest-ever national budget proposal," expressing his determination to "continue focusing on 'economy' and 'my life' to break through head-on."

As for future policy directions, he plans to grow industry to increase jobs, expand culture so citizens can enjoy and benefit from it, and expand care to ensure no one is left behind in Gwangju.

First, Mayor Kang said, "The first phase projects, including the completion of the AI (Artificial Intelligence) Data Center, and the second phase AI advancement projects are progressing smoothly, and we are completing a tightly knit talent cultivation system with the AI Graduate School, Military Academy, and AI Gifted High School," emphasizing, "Gwangju will be reborn as Korea's Silicon Valley."

He added, "We will offer the entire city of Gwangju as a testbed and ensure that advanced industry demonstrations take place throughout the downtown area," declaring, "We proclaim Gwangju as a startup city not only good for starting businesses but also with a high startup success rate."

Along with this, he said, "We will expand culture that citizens can enjoy," stating, "The top-level complex shopping mall in Korea is just the beginning, and we are heading toward an era of 30 million city users full of fun and vitality, expanding the digital content industry through the fusion of culture and technology to become a true Asian cultural hub city."

He added, "We have completed the financial and organizational preparations to start Gwangju's unique all-day integrated care," promising, "We will move beyond welfare support for survival to welfare for living, creating a caring Gwangju where no one is left out."