"Building a Future Growth Economy City with AI Innovation"... Gwangju Chamber of Commerce Holds New Year's Meeting

Advancing Key Industries Centered on AI and Semiconductors
Nurturing Creative Talent and Achieving Industrial Peace Between Labor and Management

On the 6th, the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry held the '2026 New Year's Meeting' to express hopeful aspirations for the new year and to pledge continued efforts. Provided by Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced on January 6 that it held the '2026 New Year's Meeting' to express hopeful aspirations for the new year and to pledge dedication.

The New Year's Meeting, held that morning at the Kimdaejung Convention Center, was attended by Hansangwon, Chairman of the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju; Joo Sunseon, Head of the Eastern Region Headquarters of South Jeolla Province; Park Jiwon, National Assemblyman; Yang Bunam, National Assemblyman; Ahn Dogeol, National Assemblyman; Min Hyeongbae, National Assemblyman; Jeong Jinwook, National Assemblyman; Jeong Junho, National Assemblyman; Lee Jonguk, Head of the Gwangju Regional Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; district mayors; heads of major organizations and groups; business leaders; and about 800 others.

On this day, the attendees pledged, in celebration of the New Year of Byeong-o, "Let us enhance industrial competitiveness through AI innovation and build a future-oriented growth economy city."

Chairman Hansangwon stated, "Although last year was challenging due to low growth and changes in the industrial paradigm, we demonstrated our national strength by achieving exports of 700 billion dollars, making us the world's sixth-largest trading nation. In our region as well, anchor companies and their partners in key industries collaborated to achieve production and employment, and major projects to strengthen urban competitiveness, such as large-scale shopping complexes, began in earnest, making it a meaningful year."

He continued, "This year, with global growth slowing and the impact of tariffs expected to become more pronounced, we must now recognize uncertainty as a 'constant environment.' We need to move beyond the formulas of past success and continue to pursue change and innovation wherever there are customers and markets."

He presented the following as core tasks for revitalizing the regional economy: ▲ Advancement of key industries centered on AI and semiconductors and fostering new growth engines ▲ Creation of quality jobs through attracting global companies and nurturing creative talent ▲ Establishment of 'industrial peace' based on trust between labor and management.

Chairman Hansangwon added, "As a partner and policy collaborator for businesses, the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry will fulfill its responsible role in creating safe and peaceful industrial sites. Gwangju and South Jeolla, sharing the same roots, must unite and cooperate so that Korea can become one of the world's top three AI powers. Let us all come together in heart and purpose."

Mayor Kang Gijung said, "Through the enactment of the Special Act on Military Airports and the designation of relocation areas, we have unraveled the tangled issues surrounding the relocation of the Gwangju Military Airport and reached an agreement. We have also officially begun to create a Gwangju-style Silicon Valley by developing the former military airport site, including the ammunition depot, to design the next 100 years of Gwangju's future."

He also stated, "Following the groundbreaking of The Hyundai Gwangju Complex Shopping Mall, we are finalizing preliminary negotiations for the Gwangcheon Terminal complex development project, and administrative procedures for Eodeungsan Starfield are underway, accelerating project implementation. Gwangju will transform from a city people merely pass through to a city where people have reasons to stay."

Joo Sunseon, Head of the Eastern Region Headquarters of South Jeolla Province, said, "Last year, South Jeolla Province ushered in the era of 10 trillion won in national funding for the first time and achieved success in attracting global companies, laying the foundation for a new leap forward. In 2026, we will turn the opportunities that have come to South Jeolla into reality."