Kang Kijeong: "When Regions Grow, South Korea Grows"

At the Provincial Governors' Association, Mayor Kang Stresses "New Growth Theory"
Honam Region Policy Forum and Special Discussion Held in Gwangju

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong attended the "Provincial Governors' Association Honam Region Policy Forum" held on the afternoon of the 23rd at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Seo-gu and took a commemorative photo with guests including Incheon Mayor Yoo Jungbok. Provided by Gwangju City

On the 23rd, Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong stated, "Local autonomy and balanced development will become new engines of growth to open up new opportunities for South Korea," adding, "The new growth theory that when regions grow, the nation grows, is a development strategy that will revitalize both local areas and the entire country."

Mayor Kang attended the Provincial Governors' Association Honam Region Policy Forum held that afternoon at the Kim Daejung Convention Center and said, "We need to fundamentally reconsider how to achieve growth in the new era, including areas such as artificial intelligence and RE100. We must newly establish our perspective on growth through these fundamental questions. The uniform growth model centered around the Seoul metropolitan area is no longer effective." He emphasized this point.

He continued, "Just as Gwangju was ahead of its time in choosing artificial intelligence (AI), local governments must strategically foster industries through 'selection and concentration,' letting go of what needs to be discarded." He stressed, "The central government must boldly transfer authority to truly usher in an era of genuine autonomy."

He further explained, "Gwangju's AI industry is not just for Gwangju; it is an opportunity to open up new growth for South Korea as a whole. Through the first phase of the AI project, more than 900 companies nationwide are already receiving support in Gwangju. This is a real example that shows the need to foster region-specific strategic industries to drive national growth."

Mayor Kang also said, "Marking the 30th anniversary of local autonomy, we will strive to lay the groundwork for a true era of autonomy, decentralization, and balanced development by connecting transportation networks and economic zones in the regions." He proposed, "We ask the new government to also establish a roadmap for constitutional reform toward decentralization and for balanced regional development."

Meanwhile, the policy forum proceeded in the order of an opening ceremony, a special discussion, and a general forum. The special discussion featured Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong, who serves as auditor of the Provincial Governors' Association, and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jungbok, who chairs the association. They engaged in a heated debate on the topic of "The Direction of Promoting Local Autonomy as a National Development Strategy for the New Government."

Following the first session's special discussion, the second session involved experts diagnosing the international competitiveness of regional high-tech industries and discussing ways to enhance their competitiveness. Song Wookyung, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, presented on ways to vitalize the innovation ecosystem for regional strategic high-tech industries, while Choi Sunghwan, Research Fellow at the Gwangju Institute, gave a keynote presentation on global protectionist trends and regional industrial responses.

Panelists included Cho Seongho, Head of the Growth Engine Project Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning and Evaluation; Lee Jihoon, Team Leader of Core and New Industries at the Jeonbuk Institute; Park Woonghee, Senior Research Fellow at the Jeonnam Institute; Lee Bokun, CEO of SC Creative; and Kim Unseop, Director of Policy Planning at Gwangju Technopark.

The Provincial Governors' Association is sequentially holding policy forums in four regions?Seoul Metropolitan Area, Honam, Gyeongsang, and Chungcheong?on key policy issues tailored to each region, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of local autonomy.