At the Second Policy Briefing:
"Masan Marine New Town to Be Developed as a Mixed-Use Complex
for Residential Living, Culture and Tourism, and Digital Industry"
Kim Seokgi, a preliminary candidate for Changwon Special Self-Governing City Mayor, officially declared the complete redesign of the Masan Marine New Town project-which has been stalled for years due to lawsuits and conflicts-during his second policy briefing.
Seokki Kim, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Changwon, is announcing his second round of campaign pledges.
Candidate Kim stated, "Masan Marine New Town should no longer remain a symbol of conflict," adding, "The era in which the administration hides behind the law and merely awaits court rulings must come to an end."
Masan Marine New Town is a prime site created through reclamation using dredged soil from Masan Port. However, following the selection of a private developer, prolonged lawsuits have halted the project, resulting in ongoing losses of citizens' time and opportunity costs.
Candidate Kim expressed his intention to resolve this issue by operating a mayoral task force to proactively reach a settlement with the private developer, thereby normalizing the project.
He emphasized, "We will develop a win-win solution based on two principles: ensuring public interest and guaranteeing reasonable profits," and added, "We will eliminate uncertainty and turn back the clock for Masan."
Candidate Kim announced plans to redesign the Marine New Town not merely as a commercial and business hub, but as a mixed-use development that also incorporates residential functions.
He stated, "To prevent the creation of a ghost town and ensure ongoing vitality, people need to live there," and pledged to restore substantial urban functionality through city planning that supports residential settlement.
Candidate Kim also revealed a vision to enhance the free trade zone feature within the Marine New Town by transforming it into a structure centered on digital and AI industries.
He explained, "We will develop this area into a hub for industrial transformation by combining digital technology and artificial intelligence with the excellent manufacturing experience base of the Changwon National Industrial Complex."
In particular, he announced plans to establish a 'Physical AI' base to innovate the manufacturing sector, aiming to elevate Changwon's industry from digital transformation (DX) to the stage of artificial intelligence transformation (AX).
He stated, "We will create a city where young people no longer have to move to the Seoul metropolitan area for jobs, and build an industrial ecosystem that attracts world-class technology companies."
In addition, Candidate Kim pledged to foster the Marine New Town as a "top tourist destination on the southern coast" by constructing a world-class art museum and attracting stay-type tourism accommodations.
Candidate Kim also envisions a structure where the achievements of the Marine New Town spread to the Masan Fish Market and the old downtown commercial districts, using a smart tourism platform to naturally lead tourists to the fish market and further strengthen a win-win system with local small business owners.
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