Gyeonggi Province Partners with Gwangju City to Collaborate on 8 Major Tasks Including Fukushima Contaminated Water Response

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (right) warmly shakes hands with Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung after signing a mutual development business agreement on the 12th.

Gyeonggi Province and Gwangju Metropolitan City have agreed on eight tasks for mutual development between the two regions, including mutual cooperation in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry sector, joint promotion of youth and adolescent education and exchange, and joint response to the Fukushima nuclear power plant radioactive wastewater issue.

On the 12th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it had signed its fourth mutual development agreement with Gwangju Metropolitan City, following agreements with Chungnam, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon said, "In a situation where democracy is regressing, I visited the May 18 Democratic Cemetery and wrote in the guestbook, 'Oh spirits of the May democratization, spirits of Gwangju, please protect democracy on this land and the future of this country.'" He emphasized, "Politics is uncommunicative, the economy is incompetent, diplomacy is unstable, and society is full of conflict and division. In such difficult times for democracy, Gwangju's spirit has played a great role, and I will remember that and steadfastly follow my path, using today's mutual cooperation with Gwangju Metropolitan City as a turning point."

He added, "I hope to create synergy by joining hands with Gwangju Metropolitan City, which is most specialized in artificial intelligence and advanced mobility. I will work with Gwangju Metropolitan City so that young people can exchange with each other and become the workers of our country together." He also said, "We share the same will regarding the response to the Fukushima contaminated water issue and the May 18 democratization spirit. Next time, I will invite Mayor Kang to be an honorary governor of Gyeonggi Province for one day."

Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju responded, "Gwangju is aiming to become an AI-centered city, and we have signed a mutual cooperation agreement with Gyeonggi Province, which has the Pangyo Techno Valley." He added, "The issue of Japan's contaminated water discharge is not just a problem for Gyeonggi and Gwangju but a problem for all Korean people. I am also pleased that you readily agreed to the constitutional preamble for May 18."

The eight agreed items between the two regions on this day are ▲activation of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry ecosystem ▲cooperation on youth and adolescent education and exchange programs ▲establishment of an ecosystem in the future automobile sector ▲joint cooperation on the May 18 democratization spirit ▲cooperation to revitalize the tourism industry ▲cooperation and exchange for hosting the K-Beauty Festival ▲joint response to the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge ▲mutual cooperation to activate the Hometown Love Donation System.

According to the agreement, the two regions will cooperate to revitalize and lead the Korean AI industry ecosystem by utilizing Pangyo Techno Valley and the Gwangju AI-centered industrial convergence cluster for startups, technology support, and talent development.

They will also jointly promote education and exchange programs, support companies to strengthen competitiveness in the materials, parts, and equipment industries in the future automobile sector, and nurture talent.

In particular, they will jointly cooperate to include the May 18 democratization spirit in the constitutional preamble and firmly respond to the Japanese government's discharge of radioactive contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Additionally, they will work together to successfully host the 'K-Beauty Festival' held in Gwangju in 2024, jointly develop and operate tourism products, and promote and improve the Hometown Love Donation System.

Gyeonggi Province plans to expand partnerships with the central government and metropolitan local governments to become Korea's "City of Opportunity," a center for "more opportunities, more equitable opportunities, and better opportunities."

Before the agreement ceremony, Governor Kim Dong-yeon made a Hometown Love Donation pledge to Gwangju City. He also visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, laid flowers and incense at the memorial tower with Mayor Kang Ki-jung, and visited the graves of Gyeonggi residents and martyr Lee Han-yeol.

In the afternoon, Governor Kim visited Chosun University to have a special lecture and communicate with local youth. On the 13th, he will meet with local figures such as the May Mothers' Association.