Chung Cheongrae: "Supporting Gwangju as an AI Hub with Record-High Budget"

Specifying the Spirit of May 18 in the Constitution
Expanding Support for Industry and Culture

Democratic Party leader Chung Cheongrae visited Gwangju on the 18th and announced plans to support Gwangju as a core hub for artificial intelligence (AI) by backing next year's record-high government budget. This move highlights the party's strong commitment to fully support Gwangju, its key support base, ahead of next year's local elections.

Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae is speaking at the Democratic Party-Gwangju City Budget Policy Council held in the medium conference room of Gwangju City Hall on the morning of the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News

At the Democratic Party-Gwangju City Budget Policy Council held at Gwangju City Hall that morning, Chung stated, "Gwangju represents pain and sorrow, but also hope, and the Republic of Korea must remember Gwangju's sacrifice," referencing the historical significance of the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. He added, "Both the ruling and opposition parties agree on specifying the spirit of 5·18 in the preamble of the Constitution. I will work to establish institutional measures so that this spirit can be fully passed on to future generations."

Gwangju secured a record-high 3.6616 trillion won in next year's government budget. Chung explained that this will enable the city to establish a foundation for future innovation industries such as AI mobility and semiconductors, as well as expand support for arts and culture. He emphasized, "More than 320 AI companies have already gathered in Gwangju. We will support Gwangju in becoming a core hub for one of the world's top three AI powers through initiatives such as establishing an AI semiconductor cluster."

Chung also noted, "Gwangju is a city where art and culture are alive," mentioning pansori master Im Bangul. He continued, "We will enhance cultural infrastructure and support the creative ecosystem to elevate Gwangju's cultural competitiveness to a global level." The council was attended by Chung, Policy Committee Chair Han Jeongae, Supreme Council Member Hwang Myungseon, other Democratic Party leaders, local lawmakers from Gwangju, and Mayor Kang Gijeong.

Policy Committee Chair Han Jeongae remarked, "The story of 5·18 captured by author Han Kang has provided comfort to citizens," and added, "The Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party will meticulously manage pending projects and government-funded initiatives to bring comfort to Gwangju."