Naju Mayor Kang In-gyu Proposes 'Innovation City Season 2' in Meeting with Chairman Kim Sa-yeol

Published 13 Oct.2021 10:31(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong] Kang In-kyu, mayor of Naju, Jeollanam-do, met with Kim Sa-yeol, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Balanced National Development, at the Seoul Government Complex on the 12th and urged the prompt promotion of ‘Innovation City Season 2,’ which centers on the second relocation of public institutions from the Seoul metropolitan area.

According to the city on the 13th, following the joint petition by the National Innovation City (District) Council in August urging the second relocation of public institutions, the need for early promotion of Innovation City Season 2 has been raised in the political sphere through National Assembly government questioning, and related discussions are expected to surface actively, centered on the Balanced National Development Committee.

Accordingly, Mayor Kang pursued a meeting with Chairman Kim to attract additional public institutions that will drive the core industrial growth of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Joint (Naju Bitgaram) Innovation City.

Mayor Kang stated, “To truly complete the Innovation City, it is necessary to additionally relocate public institutions and research/affiliated organizations that can maximize synergy effects in connection with the 16 public institutions in the energy, agriculture & life sciences, information & communication, and culture & arts sectors that were relocated in the first phase,” adding, “Innovation City Season 2 must be promptly promoted as a catalyst for balanced national development and to prevent the extinction crisis of local areas.”

Chairman Kim said, “Among the 10 innovation cities nationwide, Naju Innovation City is settling very quickly and stably,” and added, “We expect the Korea Energy Engineering University to grow into a world-class research-oriented university beyond Korea, and we are paying close attention to it.”

Along with Innovation City Season 2, Mayor Kang also requested Chairman Kim’s interest and support for the selection of the ‘Vulnerable Area Living Conditions Improvement Project,’ led by the Balanced National Development Committee, which is being promoted to improve the residential environment of the underdeveloped Yeongsanpo Ichang-dong area residents.

Mayor Kang said, “In the post-COVID era, competition among local governments to attract additional public institutions is inevitable,” and added, “We will establish a detailed strategy to explain and persuade the government of the capabilities and conditions of Naju Innovation City through close cooperation with Gwangju and Jeonnam.”

He continued, “We will strive for solidarity and cooperation with the National Innovation City Council to ensure that the Innovation City Season 2 policy is steadily promoted,” and added, “We will do our best so that the Innovation City leads as a regional growth hub and that Naju stands tall at its center.”