Kang Gijeong and Ha Jungwoo Agree on "AI Demonstration City Gwangju" Vision

The Two Leaders Discuss National AI Industry Strategy
“Highly Appreciate Gwangju’s AI Ecosystem”
“Support for Regulation-Free Demonstration City Initiative”

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong met with Ha Jungwoo, Chief of AI Future Planning at the Presidential Office, to propose designating the entire city of Gwangju as a “regulation-free demonstration city for the AI industry.” Chief Ha responded by saying, “I agree,” and added, “I highly appreciate Gwangju’s leadership in fostering the AI industry ecosystem.”

From the left, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong and AI Future Planning Chief Ha Jungwoo. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Gwangju City on November 12, Mayor Kang met with Chief Ha at the Presidential Office that day to discuss the national AI industry promotion strategy. Mayor Kang stated, “Gwangju has developed as a demonstration city based on building AI infrastructure, nurturing talent, and attracting companies. Now, we aim to transform the entire city into a regulation-free demonstration city, creating an environment where we can freely test and innovate in various fields such as NPUs, AI mobility, healthcare, energy, and talent development.”

Chief Ha said, “I positively evaluate the AI industry ecosystem that Gwangju has accumulated so far,” and expressed agreement with the proposal to designate the entire city as a regulation-free demonstration city.

He also commented on the national AI computing center bid held in October, saying, “There was little room for intervention in the private sector, but I have always appreciated the efforts Gwangju has shown. I apologize for the great disappointment felt by local residents.” He added, “President Lee Jaemyung remains firmly committed to fostering Gwangju as the center and leading city of the AI industry.”

In particular, Chief Ha is known to have expressed his support for the four major strategies of “AI Demonstration City Gwangju” proposed by Mayor Kang at the “2025 Seoul Future Conference-AX City and 6G, Korean Future City Forum” held in Seoul on November 5: establishing a dedicated NPU computing center, founding a national AI research institute, creating a new AI+mobility city, and designating a mega-sandbox-type national AI convergence complex.

Mayor Kang stated, “We will work closely with the government, including during the National Assembly budget review process, and do our utmost to help Gwangju become a regulation-free demonstration city leading Korea’s AI industry.”