Kang Gijeong's Extensive Efforts Across Policy Committee, Defense Ministry, and National Assembly

All-Out Efforts to Include Regional Core Projects in National Policy Agenda
Requests for Relocation of Civil-Military Integrated Airport and AI Infrastructure Development
Strengthened Communication Activities Centered on the Seoul Situation Room Until August

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong met with Lee Hanju, Chairman of the National Policy Planning Committee, at the National Policy Planning Committee in Seoul on the 7th to request that the establishment of the National AI Computing Center in Gwangju and the creation of the AX Demonstration Valley be prioritized as national policy tasks. Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is making every effort to ensure that the 10 major projects for Gwangju's development are included as national policy tasks under the Lee Jaemyung administration, visiting the National Policy Planning Committee, the Ministry of National Defense, the National Assembly, and other key institutions.

On the afternoon of July 7, Mayor Kang visited the National Policy Planning Committee in Changseong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and met with Lee Hanju, Chairman of the Committee. During the meeting, Mayor Kang stated, "Gwangju is home to the nation's top AI core infrastructure, including computing resources, companies, and talent necessary for AI development." He requested, "To fulfill President Lee Jaemyung's promise of making Gwangju 'the best AI city in Korea,' please ensure that the establishment of the National AI Computing Center in Gwangju, the creation of the AX Demonstration Valley, and the development of the AI Mobility National Pilot City are prioritized as national policy tasks."

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong visited Kim Byunggi, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the National Assembly in Yeouido on the 7th to request support for the inclusion of the 10 major projects for Gwangju's development in the national agenda. Photo by Gwangju City

Earlier, Mayor Kang visited the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and met with Kim Byunggi, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to request support for the inclusion of Gwangju's 10 major development projects in the national agenda.

The 10 core projects for Gwangju are as follows: ▲ Establishment of the National AI Computing Center in Gwangju ▲ Creation of the AX Demonstration Valley (AI Phase 2) ▲ Development of the AI Mobility National Pilot City ▲ Establishment of an AI-based future vehicle core technology cluster ▲ State-led preservation and utilization of key 5·18 historical sites ▲ Development of wide-area MVDC technology and power grid ▲ Expansion of Honam Expressway (Donggwangju~Gwangsan IC) ▲ Creation of an Asian cultural content hub city ▲ Attraction and establishment of national cultural facilities ▲ Establishment of the National AI Innovation Institute and training of AX super-gap convergence talent.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is discussing the relocation of the civil-military integrated airport with Defense Minister nominee Ahn Kyu Baek at the Ministry of National Defense building on the 7th. Photo by Gwangju City

Prior to his visit to the National Assembly on the same day, Mayor Kang met with Defense Minister nominee Ahn Kyu Baek at the Ministry of National Defense building to discuss the relocation of the Gwangju civil-military integrated airport to Muan.

Mayor Kang requested the swift formation of a government task force dedicated to the "Relocation of the Gwangju Civil-Military Integrated Airport," so that discussions on the relocation could proceed more rapidly. In particular, regarding the airport noise issue, he suggested that the Ministry of National Defense, after obtaining consent from Muan County, coordinate with the airport corporation to actually fly fighter jets at Muan Airport for verification purposes.

He stated, "The relocation of the civil-military integrated airport cannot be accomplished solely by the efforts of the local government," and added, "Please have the Ministry of National Defense take the lead so that the gateway airport for the southwest region can be fully opened."

On June 24, Mayor Kang had previously met with Kim Yongbeom, Chief of Policy, and Ha Jeongwoo, Senior Secretary for AI Future Planning, at the Presidential Office in Yongsan to propose the swift implementation of the civil-military integrated airport relocation, the establishment of the National AI Computing Center in Gwangju, and the AX Demonstration Valley (AI Phase 2) project.

Meanwhile, Mayor Kang plans to continue to focus all efforts on ensuring that Gwangju's core development projects are included in the national policy agenda, by strengthening communication with the National Policy Planning Committee, the Presidential Office, government ministries, and the National Assembly, especially through the "Presidential Election Pledge Seoul Situation Room," until August, when the national policy agenda is expected to be announced.