Kang Ki-jung and Chonnam National University Students, 'Youth Asks, Mayor Answers'

Proposals for Honam Mega City and Sustainable 'Daejabo City'
Kang "Supporting Youth Growth Like Bamboo Nodes Being Carved One by One"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung is taking a commemorative photo after finishing a talk-style conversation with attendees on the evening of the 28th at Cosmos Hall, Building 4, College of Engineering, Chonnam National University.
[Photo by Gwangju City]

“Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju, the ‘Honam Mega City Economic Alliance’ promised by Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk last July is facing concerns due to geographical limitations. Is there a way to alleviate these concerns?”

“I was born in Seoul, entered Chonnam National University, and have been living in Gwangju for three years. I hope the city’s policies, including the public bicycle system ‘Taranggae’ and the ‘Poster City’ initiative, will be activated soon. I would like to hear your thoughts, Mayor.”

On the evening of the 28th, Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju held an on-site dialogue titled ‘Youth Ask, Mayor Answers’ at Cosmos Hall, Building 4, College of Engineering, Chonnam National University, listening attentively to policy proposals from young people. Mayor Kang explained his thoughts and the current status of Gwangju’s initiatives regarding the policies suggested by the students.

During the dialogue, when a student from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy raised concerns about the feasibility of the Honam Mega City, Mayor Kang responded, “The Honam Mega City has several limitations that prevent immediate administrative integration, so it should be seen primarily as an integration of economic and transportation functions. Ultimately, it is a step toward administrative integration. Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk can form a mega city centered on two pillars: renewable energy and tourism, and we are currently in the practical implementation phase.”

The students, who are among the groups with high public transportation usage, showed great interest in the ‘Poster City’ initiative. Discussions on policies to promote bicycle use continued.

Mayor Kang said, “Tall bamboo can stand strong because of its nodes. It may seem like growth has paused momentarily, but this is to grow stronger. Anyone can fail. I, too, dreamed of a better world in my youth and experienced failures, but if you look at it like bamboo, those nodes were part of growing. I promise to be a mayor who supports your nodes as you grow into magnificent bamboo.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Kang continues on-site dialogues with university students to support the dreams of young people through eye-to-eye communication and to reflect diverse opinions in city administration.