Jangho Kim, Mayor of Gumi: "I Will Reinvent Gumi Through Innovation in Industry, Culture, Education, and Healthcare"

Marking the third anniversary of the 8th popularly elected administration, Jangho Kim, Mayor of Gumi, discussed his achievements and future vision in an interview with our publication.

Jangho Kim, Mayor of Gumi.

Since taking office, Mayor Kim has set "Reinventing Gumi" as his city administration goal, pursuing major initiatives such as attracting businesses, increasing the population, and transforming the city's image.

He stated, "As a result of three years of relentless effort, Gumi has laid the foundation for a new leap forward," emphasizing, "In the remaining year of my term, I will focus on delivering changes that citizens can truly feel."

◆ "2 Trillion Won Budget Era" in 3 Years ... 9 Trillion Won Investment Through National Projects

Since his inauguration, Mayor Kim has made 252 visits to the National Assembly and central government agencies, dedicating himself to securing national projects and budget allocations. As a result, Gumi's main budget increased by 640 billion won over three years, surpassing the 2 trillion won mark.

In particular, by successfully attracting major corporations such as SK Siltron, Hanwha Systems, and LG Innotek, Gumi secured a series of large-scale projects in the semiconductor, defense, and cultural industrial complexes, resulting in 9 trillion won in investment and the creation of 6,275 jobs. This far exceeds the achievements of the same period during the 7th administration.

"To protect Gumi's industrial base and secure new growth engines, I made countless trips to the central government and National Assembly. As a result, we were able to initiate a full-scale restructuring of our industrial structure around advanced strategic industries."

◆ Vitalizing the Local Economy ... Expanded Support for Small Businesses

Prioritizing the revitalization of the local economy, Mayor Kim achieved record-high sales through the public delivery app "Meokgaebi" and doubled the issuance of the Gumi Sarang gift certificate from 75 billion won in 2022 to 150 billion won this year.

Additionally, support for special guarantees and interest subsidies for small businesses was increased to 72 billion won, and the "Aibodeum Project," which supports replacement labor costs after childbirth, is also being implemented.

◆ From "Gray Industrial City" to "Romantic Cultural City"

Mayor Kim established the nation's first "Romantic Tourism Division," transforming Gumi from an "industrial city" into a "romantic cultural city." Urban festivals such as the Gumi Ramen Festival, Food Festival, and Romantic Night Market have been highly successful, leading Gumi to rank first nationwide in last year's city brand reputation survey.

"A city must be fun for people to visit. More than 200,000 people attended the Romantic Night Market, and the Ramen Festival has become a unique content exclusive to Gumi. Going forward, through the Cultural Industrial Complex Project, we will create a landmark within the industrial complex that encompasses youth-oriented jobs, culture, and housing."

◆ Population Growth and Expansion of Care Infrastructure

Gumi City established a youth and low birthrate task force and expanded essential care and medical infrastructure, including 24-hour regional care centers, a 365-day pediatric and adolescent care center, and a neonatal intensive care unit.

As a result, the number of births last year exceeded 2,000 for the first time in 12 years, and the population decline rate improved by 85% compared to 2022.

◆ Becoming a Corporate City Centered on Advanced Strategic Industries

During the three years of the 8th administration, Gumi attracted 742 companies, resulting in 9 trillion won in investments and the creation of more than 6,000 jobs. In particular, the city is restructuring its industrial base around advanced strategic industries such as semiconductors, defense, and secondary batteries.

The Cultural Industrial Complex Project, a core initiative to transform the Gumi Industrial Complex into a youth-friendly industrial park, has been in full swing since this year.

◆ Focusing on Population Recovery and Expansion of Metropolitan Transportation in the Final Year

Mayor Kim stated, "We will expand regional care centers, establish a public children's rehabilitation center, and implement youth and women-oriented policies. We will also focus on securing a metropolitan transportation network linked to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, making Gumi a city where people want to stay."

◆ A Message to Citizens

"Thanks to the support of our citizens over the past three years, we have achieved many results. We will continue to bring about tangible changes that citizens can experience. Based on Gumi's unique competitiveness, which combines innovation in industry, culture, education, and healthcare, we will reinvent Gumi as Korea's leading advanced industrial and cultural city."

Mayor Kim concluded, "With the 2 trillion won mega project centered on the Cultural Industrial Complex and the transportation network linked to the new airport, we will elevate Gumi as a global economic and cultural hub city. I will complete the ongoing projects and ensure the smooth progress of new initiatives during the remainder of my term."

Gumi City has presented a concrete blueprint to become a "future-oriented city model" where industry, culture, welfare, and education are harmoniously integrated. Attention is now focused on whether Mayor Kim's final year will be the decisive period that turns Gumi's leap forward into reality.