Mayor Bang Se-hwan: "Leap to an Eco-Friendly City... Creating a Sustainable Future"

Three Major Eco-Friendly Policies Announced at New Year's Press Conference
2025 to Mark the First Year of Devotion to Eco-Friendly Policies
for Realizing the 'Green City Where Three Generations Are Happy'

"We will transform Gwangju City into an eco-friendly city, enhance the quality of life for citizens through economic and social harmony, and create a sustainable future."

Gwangju Mayor Bang Se-hwan is announcing eco-friendly policies at the New Year's press conference on the 13th. Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

On the 13th, Bang Se-hwan, mayor of Gyeonggi Gwangju City, stated at a New Year's press conference held at the Sunam Hall of City Hall, "We will make 2025 the inaugural year to realize the 'Green City where three generations are happy' and devote ourselves to eco-friendly policies and sustainable development."

Reflecting on the past year, Mayor Bang explained, "We proved the potential as a city of culture, arts, and sports by hosting the 20th WASBE World Wind Band Conference, the first in Korea, and by securing the 2026 Gyeonggi-do Comprehensive Sports Competition."

He also cited improvements in residential conditions through urban infrastructure expansion, including the development project around the station area, comprehensive transportation measures, and the completion of 17 road projects, as major achievements.

He added, "Through public contests, we secured the largest-ever amount of national and provincial funds totaling approximately 133 billion KRW. We raised the largest-scale budget ever for projects such as the integrated biogasification project, strengthening fiscal soundness and policy execution capability."

Mayor Bang set the vision and direction for three policies to transition to an eco-friendly city: 'Establishment of eco-friendly infrastructure,' 'Practical eco-friendly policies,' and 'Environmental policy governance.'

To establish eco-friendly infrastructure, Gwangju City will actively promote the installation of a comprehensive waste treatment facility. The 'Integrated Biogasification Facility,' selected in the Ministry of Environment's public contest, has secured a project budget of 58.8 billion KRW, with construction aiming for completion in 2028.

The city plans to complete the nation's only 'Comprehensive Wood Education Center' in the Mokhyeon-dong area by 2026, leading wood education and culture and contributing to carbon neutrality.

The construction of the 'Neoreungol Natural Recreation Forest,' a natural recreation forest project, will also be accelerated to simultaneously promote the local economy and eco-friendly tourism.

Regarding practical eco-friendly policies, the Mokhyeoncheon ecological stream restoration project will be promoted to restore the ecosystem and provide eco-friendly spaces for citizens. Through the new and renewable energy convergence support project, the city will participate in energy transition and carbon neutrality, and the 2026 Gyeonggi-do Comprehensive Sports Competition will be operated as an eco-friendly event.

To strengthen environmental policy governance, the city plans to enhance solidarity with neighboring local governments.

Mayor Bang emphasized, "As a co-chair of the 'Han River Love Forum' with cities and counties in the Han River basin, we will simultaneously realize regional balanced development through the relaxation of regulations in the metropolitan area and environmental conservation."

He continued, "As the president of the Sustainable Development Local Government Council, Gwangju City will lead as a model of a sustainable local community."

Gwangju City is also participating in the 'RE100' campaign to supply 100% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2050 and is expanding the installation of new and renewable energy.

Mayor Bang stated, "Although difficulties are great due to the climate crisis and domestic and international economic uncertainties, we will prioritize the environment and leap forward as a global eco-friendly city," adding, "We will open a new chapter of sustainable development together with our citizens."