Exemption from AI Phase 2 Preliminary Feasibility Study and Swift Public Offering for AI Computing Center
Request for Relocation of Military Facilities... Suggestion for Presidential Attendance at World Archery Championships
Minister of the Inte
Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju (fourth from the left in the front row in the photo), is taking a commemorative photo with President Lee Jae Myung and others after a meeting of governors from across the country at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 1st. Photo by the Presidential Office
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung submitted proposals regarding the "2+4 Key Issues," including the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and the relocation of military facilities, to President Lee Jaemyung. The "2+4 Key Issues" refer to two major AI industry matters?the exemption of the preliminary feasibility study for the second phase of the AI project and the prompt public offering for the National AI Computing Center?as well as four issues related to the relocation of military facilities: the Gwangju military airport, the Maruk-dong ammunition depot, the Pyeongdong shooting range, and the Mudeungsan anti-aircraft artillery base.
On August 1, during the "Meeting of Provincial Governors" held at the presidential office, Mayor Kang presented all the key issues to President Lee Jaemyung. Mayor Kang emphasized, "To achieve balanced national development, talent must be nurtured in the regions, and industries that can drive autonomous regional growth must be supported." He added, "For this reason, it is essential to promptly exempt the second phase of the AI project from the preliminary feasibility study and to quickly proceed with the public offering for the National AI Computing Center, so that Gwangju can build upon the achievements of the first phase of the AI project."
Mayor Kang also reiterated the request for the relocation of military facilities, including the Gwangju military airport, Maruk-dong ammunition depot, Pyeongdong shooting range, and Mudeungsan anti-aircraft artillery base. He had previously proposed this issue as a campaign pledge during the presidential election.
The meeting was attended by President Lee Jaemyung, the governors of 17 provinces and metropolitan cities, Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Chairman of the Local Era Committee Kim Kyungsoo, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung, and about 20 other officials.
This was the first meeting of provincial governors since the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, and it included open discussions on topics such as local decentralization and balanced national development, as well as the smooth distribution and use of disaster response and livelihood recovery consumption coupons.
During the meeting, Mayor Kang stated, "Gwangju is nurturing about 4,000 AI and semiconductor talents annually, and based on this talent development, we have signed agreements with 299 AI companies." He continued, "Among these, 158 companies have opened offices in Gwangju, employing 637 people, and this number is expected to continue increasing."
In particular, he said, "Gwangju is currently in the final stages of discussions with the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 600 billion won AI second-phase project, and a prompt exemption from the preliminary feasibility study is urgently needed." He further explained, "Through the National AI Data Center, about 900 companies are currently carrying out more than 2,000 projects. Considering the AI industry's emphasis on speed and clustering, we are preparing to attract the National AI Computing Center near the current cluster. I also request that the public offering for the National AI Computing Center, which was unsuccessful last June, be promptly resumed."
Regarding the consumption coupons, he said, "Thanks to the livelihood recovery consumption coupons, the local alleyway economy is regaining vitality." He added, "An analysis of usage during the first week of the consumption coupon program showed that sales in Gwangju as a whole increased by 25.5 billion won (7.3%), and sales at Yangdong Market increased by 200 million won (31.7%), demonstrating the positive impact on the local economy."
Regarding the prepaid card issuance process, specifically the color and denomination labeling by type, he said, "We have taken this incident as a lesson and reviewed the overall administrative process for human rights sensitivity, making the necessary adjustments." President Lee Jaemyung responded, "Have you already taken such swift action? We will also review this at the central government level."
Mayor Kang also requested comprehensive government support, such as the declaration of a special disaster zone and improvement projects for areas prone to frequent flooding, given the significant damage suffered by citizens due to heavy rainfall. Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung replied, "We will actively review this together with Gwangju City."
Meanwhile, during the luncheon following the meeting, Mayor Kang also requested that the President attend the opening show of the Gwangju 2025 World Archery Championships, scheduled to be held on September 3.
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