Kim Byung-nae, Mayor of Gwangju Nam-gu, "Nam-gu Stretching Out, Most Dynamic Development Since Establishment"

[3rd Anniversary of the 7th Local Government]

Public Project Funding 221.8 Billion KRW & Special Tax 31.5 Billion KRW 'Record High'

Enhanced Quality of Life with Living SOC and Bunjeoksan Renovations in Every Neighborhood

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Byeongnae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, evaluated the three years since his inauguration in the 7th local election, saying, “It was the most dynamic period of development in the 26-year history of the Nam-gu Office, and the boundless development of Nam-gu, which has begun to stretch its wings, has already started.”

Mayor Kim reflected that during the three years leading the district administration, he gathered the largest scale of contest project funds, special grants, and subsidies in the history of Nam-gu Office, solidifying his image as a capable and robust administrator.

Through active communication with the central government and participation in various government-led contest projects, he secured project funds totaling 221.8 billion KRW. This is the best achievement ever recorded with one year left in his term.

Additionally, he secured 31.5 billion KRW in special grants and subsidies, the highest among all elected local heads, supporting Nam-gu’s financially strained budget.

To build various living infrastructures in the local community, he actively participated in government-led Living SOC complex contest projects, establishing complex facilities combining cultural centers and libraries in every corner of the neighborhood, leading to changes and development in the villages.

In particular, as the local government in the Honam region with the most projects, he promoted 7 complex and 16 single projects, constructing facilities such as the Hocheon Cultural Complex Community Center (8.5 billion KRW), Family Love Sharing Center (8.3 billion KRW), and Bongseon 2-dong Administrative Complex Center (5.6 billion KRW).

Furthermore, he has actively led efforts to resolve residents’ long-standing demands, including improving the Jinwol IC access road on the 2nd Ring Road (12 billion KRW), expanding the detour lane from Yongsan Tunnel in Bongseon-dong toward the Southern Police Station (330 million KRW), improving the Baegun Square sewage culvert (10.3 billion KRW), and creating the Jinwol Complex Sports Ground (8.6 billion KRW).

He also demonstrated ingenuity in creating a well-being Nam-gu for the healthy lives of residents, achieving significant results.

Noting that most of the district area is designated as a greenbelt, from 2019 to 2021, he was selected for the ‘Development Restriction Zone Environmental Culture Project’ contest for three consecutive years, investing a total of 3 billion KRW to promote projects such as the Bunjuksan The Green Nuri Trail, Daegolje Riverside Walkway, and Hyangdeungje Health Nuri Trail.

When the Yangyang-dong Municipal Arboretum project (47 billion KRW) stalled since 2009, he continuously urged Gwangju City to proceed with the project, playing a driving role in taking the first step in the first half of this year after 13 years.

Along with this, he established a development axis centered on Baegun Square, the district’s only commercial area, through the 87.9 billion KRW Baegun Square New Deal project, and two national and local industrial complexes in the Daechon-dong area were designated as Gwangju’s first economic free zones, creating a new turning point for the local economy through corporate attraction and job creation.

He also evaluated that he has shown outstanding performance in fulfilling campaign promises made to residents.

The overall progress rate of 52 campaign projects in the 7th local election is 88%, with social welfare and culture/education sectors reaching 97% and 92%, respectively.

Based on promises and trust, he is the only basic local government head in the Gwangju area to receive the highest (SA) grade for three consecutive times in the pledge fulfillment and information disclosure evaluation conducted by the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters.

Mayor Kim said, “Three years ago, I promised residents to create a ‘Vibrant Economic City, Happy Welfare Nam-gu,’ and I have been running breathlessly to repay their trust and faith. I will make Nam-gu prosperous without any shortcomings in all areas including economy, culture, welfare, education, and environment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.