A 'Special Meeting' Between Gwangju Dream Tree Students and Mayor Kang Gi-jung

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Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung is responding to an interview about career experience education with students from Chipeong Elementary School in the city hall reception room on the 18th. / Provided by Gwangju City

A very ‘special meeting’ took place between elementary school dreamers and Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung, drawing attention.

On the morning of the 18th, Mayor Kang Gi-jung met with sixth-grade students from Chipyeong Elementary School, who were conducting career exploration activities, in the city hall reception room as part of their ‘Dream Project.’

The students took the lead throughout the entire process, from selecting interviewees, preparing questionnaires, conducting interviews, to recording and filming. They plan to share the interview videos with the entire school later.

On that day, the students asked questions such as “Why did you become mayor?”, “What preparations and efforts are needed to become a mayor?”, “What are the rewarding and challenging aspects of being a mayor?”, and “What policies does Gwangju have for children?”

Mayor Kang responded at the students’ level and also asked about their dreams. To the students who said they dream of becoming volleyball players, dancers, police officers, and animal caretakers, Mayor Kang emphasized, “Do not reduce the size of your dreams. There may come a moment when your dreams shrink as you grow, but we must nurture our dreams.”

He then shared his own dream. He said, “I have lived with the dream of creating a good country and a good Gwangju, and now I have become the mayor to realize that dream. I promised to create opportunities so that each citizen’s life can shine, and I am working hard to keep that promise.”

Mayor Kang explained the ‘G-Pass’ policy, which is the starting point of free transportation for children and a Gwangju-style public transportation discount policy, linking it to the city’s ‘Daejabo’ (public transportation, bicycle, and pedestrian-centered) urban policy.

One student who participated in the interview said, “The mayor interview will be a special memory. I will convey Gwangju’s children’s policies well to my school friends. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.”

The ‘Exciting Nature Exploration Team’ village education community, which prepared the event, supports learning connected to the lives of children and youth by collaborating between villages and schools and utilizing resources within the village to foster growth. This year, 59 villages and 119 schools are cooperating to carry out the project.