Gwangju Gwangsan District Council Introduces Numerous Ordinances on Youth, Finance, History, and Environment

Kang Hansol: "Residents' Taxes Must Be Spent Where Truly Needed"
Jung Jaebong: "Youth Entrepreneurship Is the Foundation of the Local Economy"
Park Haewon: "Let the 5.18 Spirit Be Commemorated Even on Village Buses"
Kim Youngsun: "Walking Trails Are Spaces for Communication... Health and Tourism"
Han Yunhee: "We Will Lay the Foundation for Carbon Neutrality Through a Circular Economy"

Gwangsan District Council in Gwangju has been continuing its community-focused legislative activities by consecutively introducing ordinances that address local issues, ranging from support for youth entrepreneurship and strengthening transparency in public finances to historical commemorative projects and eco-friendly policies. All five ordinances proposed at the recently held 295th extraordinary session passed the standing committee review.

According to Gwangsan District Council on the 24th, Kang Hansol (Democratic Party of Korea, Proportional Representation) was the lead proposer of the “Ordinance on Approval of Gwangsan District Reserve Fund Expenditure,” which strengthens the post-monitoring function of the budget. This ordinance requires that the use of reserve funds be reported quarterly to the relevant standing committee and that separate council approval be obtained in addition to the year-end settlement. Kang stated, “We have established an institutional mechanism to ensure that the reserve fund is used efficiently and in line with its intended purpose.”

From the left, Assemblymen Kang Hansol, Jung Jaebong, Park Haewon, Kim Youngsun, and Han Yoonhee. Provided by Gwangju Gwangsan District Council

A system to address youth issues has also been established. Jung Jaebong (Democratic Party of Korea, Songjeong 1 and 2-dong, etc.) proposed the “Ordinance on Support for Youth Entrepreneurship in Gwangsan District,” which includes a systematic support framework for discovering and nurturing young entrepreneurs, as well as providing rent and business funding assistance. The ordinance covers both financial and non-financial support, such as special guarantees and expert consulting, with the main focus on enabling young people to take on challenges in the entrepreneurial market.

Policies commemorating history also stand out. Park Haewon (Democratic Party of Korea, Cheomdan 1 and 2-dong) introduced a partial amendment to the “Ordinance on Support for Gwangsan District 5.18 Democratization Movement Commemorative Projects,” establishing the basis for free village bus rides on the day of the 5.18 anniversary. Following the city’s free city bus and subway policy, the district is also expanding projects to carry on the spirit of the 5.18 Movement.

Ordinances considering urban space and the environment have also been introduced. Kim Youngsun (Democratic Party of Korea, Suwan-dong, etc.) proposed a partial amendment to the “Ordinance on the Creation, Management, and Operation Support of Walking Trails in Gwangsan District,” which expands resident participation in the creation of walking trails and establishes management standards that consider public interest, aesthetics, and eco-friendliness. It also includes the basis for safety management and promotional activities.

The establishment of a sustainable eco-friendly system was also addressed. Han Yunhee (Justice Party, Suwan-dong, etc.) proposed a complete amendment to the “Gwangsan District Basic Ordinance on Resource Circulation,” changing its name to the “Ordinance on Promotion of Transition to a Circular Economy Society.” The revised ordinance goes beyond resource circulation and reuse to include considerations for circular use from the product manufacturing stage.

Gwangsan District Council stated, “We will bring about real change by preparing various ordinances that are close to residents’ lives,” and added, “The ordinances that passed the standing committee review are scheduled to be implemented after approval at the plenary session.”