[Interview] Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho: "We Will Now Repay Citizens with Tangible Results from Change and Innovation"

◆ What are your thoughts as you pass the halfway point of your eighth term as a popularly elected mayor?

It has already been over half a term since I took office as Mayor of Gumi for the eighth popularly elected administration. At the time of my inauguration, Gumi was generally in a stagnant state, and to turn things around, I have tirelessly pushed forward under the banners of "A New Hope for Gumi" and "Reinventing Gumi."

[Interview] Jangho Kim, Mayor of Gumi "Change and Innovation, Now We Will Repay Citizens with Tangible Results" Photo by Byunggeon Kwon

The starting point was "change" and "innovation" within the public sector. I believe that the competitiveness of local governments ultimately comes from the capabilities and attitudes of public officials. To establish a culture of professionalism and proactive administration, we have held 132 "Good Morning Wednesday Lectures," operated the "GGXP" overseas training program for civil servants, and implemented long-term service personnel policies.

We also established the province’s first "One-Stop Civil Complaints Team" and assigned a veteran team leader with over 20 years of experience to resolve complex civil complaints. In fact, since its launch in July last year, 45 cases have been resolved by March.

Above all, I have continuously visited central government ministries and related agencies. The total business travel distance reached 246,000 kilometers, equivalent to six trips around the Earth, with 215 days spent on business trips. I held 131 on-site meetings under the "Have Breakfast Before You Go" initiative and visited 91 business sites to hear directly from citizens and companies. As a result, I am confident that a spirit of challenge?"It can be done"?and a demand-centered mindset for innovation have taken root throughout the public sector, leading to internal changes that have produced external results.

◆ One of the major achievements of the eighth term is attracting large-scale investments and securing national projects.

Since the start of the eighth term, we have attracted investments from 694 companies totaling approximately 9 trillion won, creating 6,217 jobs. We have secured major national projects, including designation as the only non-metropolitan specialized cluster for semiconductor materials and components, establishment of the defense industry innovation cluster, designation as an Opportunity Development Zone and Education Development Zone, and, for the first time among basic local governments, hosting the Asian Athletics Championships.

In particular, in March, we were finally selected for the Cultural Industrial Complex project, meaning that Korea’s first national industrial complex, which symbolized industrialization in 1969, will be reborn in 2025 with a new identity as a "Cultural Industrial Complex." This is a large-scale project symbolizing a paradigm shift for Korea’s industrial cities, and in effect, we have succeeded in sweeping national projects.

◆ These achievements have also led to increased budget allocations.

That’s right. In just three years of the eighth term, Gumi’s budget has increased by 640 billion won, ushering in the "era of a 2 trillion won budget." This is double the increase seen over the past 12 years. I believe this is the result of our continued efforts to secure national funding and attract national projects.

◆ Population decline is also a major challenge. What are your response strategies?

Population issues were also a core challenge for the eighth term. By focusing all administrative resources, the population decline, which was 4,471 people in 2022, was reduced to 686 people in 2024, an 85% improvement in the rate of decrease. The number of births also rebounded for the first time in 12 years, increasing by 122 compared to the previous year to reach 2,014 in 2024.

To achieve this, we have expanded essential childcare medical infrastructure, opened the nation’s first "24-Hour Together Care Center," and established facilities such as the "365 Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic" and "Neonatal Intensive Care Center." We have also actively promoted settlement support projects and customized job training for youth and women.

◆ It appears you are also working to improve the city’s brand image.

In the past, Gumi was considered a "gray city with only industry," but now the transformation into a "romantic city" is becoming visible. Over 600,000 people have attended festivals utilizing local resources, such as the Ramen Festival, Food Festival, and Romantic Night Market. We are also developing "Gyochon 1991-ro" utilizing the birthplace of Gyochon Chicken, and implementing the "Geumridan-gil Premium Street" project.

Through the Cultural Industrial Complex project, we aim to rebirth the city as a complex space where industry and culture coexist, transforming Gumi into an innovative city that attracts young people and a charming city that draws tourists.

◆ Do you have plans to brand Gumi’s identity as the hometown of President Park Chung-hee and a symbol of industrialization?

Gumi is the hometown of President Park Chung-hee and a symbolic place of Korea’s industrialization. The Gumi National Industrial Complex was the driving force behind industrialization and remains a hub for advanced industries such as semiconductors, defense, and robotics. To preserve and reinvent this legacy, we plan to build the "Korea Industrialization History Museum" with 41.5 billion won in national funding, and are also working to attract the Saemaul Undong Second Training Institute and expand the President Park Chung-hee Historical Archive.

◆ Are preparations for the Asian Athletics Championships going well?

This event is historic as it is being held in Korea for the first time in 20 years, and for the first time ever by a basic local government, right here in Gumi. From May 27, for five days, about 1,200 athletes from 45 countries will visit Gumi. The event also serves as a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.

We have already completed stadium renovations, and 69 students from Kyungwoon University have obtained referee qualifications through training sessions and will serve as referees for the event. We have also improved the overall city environment, including restaurants, accommodations, and signage, to showcase "Premium City Gumi." In addition, we are recruiting 2,148 supporters and promoting the event, with Director Hwang Youngjo appointed as an ambassador to generate interest.

We hope this event will serve as a catalyst for Gumi to further elevate its global status.

◆ Lastly, do you have a message for the citizens?

Looking back, the past period has been a series of challenges for change and innovation. Even with only a 1% chance, we never gave up and continued to take on new challenges. As a result, we have achieved many firsts in the nation, among basic local governments, and as the only non-metropolitan city, and I believe our efforts so far have laid the foundation for Gumi’s next 50 years.

Now, this change is just the beginning. We will continue to repay you with tangible results that you, our citizens, can truly feel.

Thank you.