Mayor Kang Gijung Launches All-Out Effort to Secure National Funding for Regional Growth

Request for 64 Billion Won for AI and Future Vehicles to Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yooncheol
Budget Also Sought for Relocation of Ammunition Depot and Anti-Aircraft Artillery Base

Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju, is taking a commemorative photo after proposing major Gwangju city projects for the next year to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoonchul at the Government Seoul Office on the 5th. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju City has launched an all-out effort to secure national funding as a foundation for regional growth. Ahead of the full-scale drafting of next year's government budget, the city is seeking to secure national funds for next year to address key issues such as future industries including artificial intelligence (AI) and future vehicles, attracting the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and relocating military facilities such as the Mareuk-dong ammunition depot.

On August 5, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung held a meeting at the Government Complex Seoul with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol, where he explained Gwangju's major pending projects for 2026. Mayor Kang requested active government support, including the allocation of 64 billion won in national funds in next year's budget to secure future growth engines for the region.

The major national funding projects for Gwangju proposed on this day include: ▲ Establishment of the AX Demonstration Valley (AI Phase 2 Project, total project cost 600 billion won) ▲ Basic plan study for the AI Mobility National Pilot City (total project cost 2 billion won) ▲ Construction of an innovative infrastructure for the circular economy of automobile parts (total project cost 45 billion won).

Additionally, the city requested budget allocations for ▲ Attracting the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Gwangju Branch (total project cost 99.5 billion won) ▲ Creation of the 5·18 Old Cemetery Democracy Park (total project cost 20 billion won) ▲ Establishment of a support center for the demonstration and testing of vertical take-off and landing aircraft flight safety (total project cost 30.2 billion won) ▲ Relocation of the Mareuk-dong ammunition depot (total project cost 326.2 billion won) ▲ Relocation of the Mudeungsan anti-aircraft artillery base (total project cost 15.8 billion won).

Mayor Kang emphasized, "For balanced national development and regional advancement, it is essential that talent grows within the region and that supporting industries develop together," and added, "To this end, the government’s full support and cooperation are needed so that the key projects we have proposed, such as artificial intelligence and future vehicle industries, can be promoted swiftly."

The city will continuously monitor trends in budget formulation until the government budget is finalized at the end of this month. For major projects that must be included in the 2026 budget, the heads of departments will take the lead in actively responding by visiting the Ministry of Economy and Finance, central government agencies, and the offices of both ruling and opposition lawmakers to provide explanations. Through these efforts, the city aims to ensure that as many pending projects as possible are reflected in the government budget.

Mayor Kang stated, "Although expansionary fiscal policy remains the government’s policy stance, ongoing expenditure restructuring makes it difficult to secure national funding. Nevertheless, we will do our utmost, utilizing all available means, to ensure that pending projects can proceed smoothly."

Meanwhile, on August 1, at a nationwide meeting of mayors and provincial governors held at the Presidential Office, Mayor Kang requested the president to resolve the '2+4 Key Issues,' including exemption from the preliminary feasibility study for the AX Demonstration Valley, which is part of the AI Phase 2 Project.

The '2+4 Key Issues' refer to exemption from the preliminary feasibility study for the AI Phase 2 Project, prompt bidding for the AI Computing Center, and the relocation of four military facilities: Gwangju Air Base, Mareuk-dong ammunition depot, Pyeongdong firing range, and Mudeungsan anti-aircraft artillery base.