Ando Geol: "We Must Create Successful Models That Incorporate Culture and Arts into Products and Services"

Ando-geol, the Democratic Party preliminary candidate for Gwangju Metropolitan City Dong-gu Nam-gu Eul in the general election, held a 'Small Business Livelihood Discussion' with the Chungjang Merchants Association at the Merchants Hall on the 11th, and agreed on measures to revitalize the Chungjang commercial district, the representative commercial area of Gwangju's original downtown.

At the discussion, about 50 members including Joo Seung-il, president of the Chungjang Merchants Association, Park Young-soo, advisor, Park Joo-han, president of the Hwanggeum Prosperity Association, and Hong Young-hwan, head of the Gwangju branch of the Korea Precious Metals Sales Association, participated as expert panelists along with professors Bae Sang-hyun and Lee Yeo-jin from Chosun University, exchanging their views.

President Joo Seung-il stated, "For the 'K-pop Star Street' created in the back alley of the old Student Hall to fulfill its role, relocation, expansion, and promotion are necessary," and expressed the opinion that "to secure the severely insufficient parking space, a multi-purpose parking tower with 700 spaces should be built around Geumnam Park, and Chungjang-ro 4-5 ga should be developed into a European-style city."

Branch head Hong Young-hwan said, "Chungjang-ro 4-5 ga is designated and operated as a 'wedding goods street,' but it has lost vitality due to aging buildings, sales methods that do not match modern trends, and lack of promotion," and insisted that "measures such as product differentiation, establishment of online and offline platforms, various rest areas, operation of experience centers, and clustering should be implemented."

President Park Joo-han expressed the view that "cooperation between ACC and surrounding merchants' associations should be strengthened, and tax and rent support should be provided to businesses entering the Asian food culture street," while advisor Park Young-soo stated that "support for fostering artificial intelligence, bio, tourism and cultural industries, and the introduction of smart technologies (AI/IOT) for small business owners is necessary."

In response, preliminary candidate Ando-geol revealed countermeasures, saying, "By creating a global tourism and cultural town centered on the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju's original downtown, an AI Valley based at Chosun University, and a bio-medical convergence special zone connecting Jeonnam National University Hospital, Chosun University Hospital, Christian Hospital, and Hwasun Vaccine Special Zone, we can fundamentally revitalize the Chungjang commercial district by attracting domestic and international cultural tourists, venture companies, and young people."

Candidate An added, "I will actively review the opinions of merchants raised at today's discussion to find reasonable solutions," emphasizing, "Since there are separate roles for the national government, local governments, and the private sector, thorough analysis and verification are required."