Kim Sam-ho, Mayor of Gwangsan District, Gwangju, Publishes 'Korea Local Autonomy Innovation' Highlighting Achievements and Challenges

Performance Sharing Meeting Held at Suwan Culture and Sports Center on the 19th

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Samho, Mayor of Gwangsan District, Gwangju Metropolitan City, has published a book titled "Korea's Autonomous Innovation," which contains the achievements and challenges of major policies promoted for true local decentralization.

The book, consisting of four parts, includes the pledges and mindset of the 7th local government term, promoted with the keywords "happiness," "collaboration," and "innovation."

It also presents specialized strategies to create regional vitality, preparations for a better future, and future tasks to leap toward "a Gwangsan District where my life and our lives are happy."

In particular, from the beginning of his term, he emphasized being an "economic mayor," established the Gwangsan District Corporate Doctor Center, and created new departments such as the Corporate Economy Division and the Alleyway Commercial Area Revitalization Team through organizational restructuring, explaining the reasons for focusing on economic policies. The book introduces policies that gained nationwide attention, such as the formation and operation of the Gwangsan Economic Vaccine Meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 1% Hope Loan promoted under the name "Economic Vaccine."

The book describes the journey of tirelessly working to revitalize the alley economy, recognized by himself and others as the "Alley Captain," and explains various cases of collective intelligence-type autonomous administration promoted based on collaboration and data in areas such as environment, resident autonomy, safety, and happiness. It also attempts to create a new autonomous administration model in the era of local decentralization.

Additionally, the book includes behind-the-scenes stories of policies that achieved good results in various evaluations conducted by central government ministries and external organizations, such as the Gwangsan-type welfare project "Always Happy Project," completed over the past four years, and the citizen-participatory "Safe Gwangsan Project," which started with the first approval to reduce safety threats in daily life and expanded into the health domain.

Mayor Kim said, "It was cautious and burdensome to publish a book after declaring not to run for re-election. However, having poured my experience and awareness of problems accumulated over more than 20 years in local autonomy since 1995 into the 7th local government term of Gwangsan District, I felt both fulfillment and regret and confirmed the direction to move forward, so I wanted to share it with those considering local politics."

He continued, "Although pride and shame intersect, I am proud to have tried various practical policies while facing the spirit of the times. There were meaningful achievements and many projects that confirmed possibilities. This is why I dared to title the book 'Korea's Autonomous Innovation.' I hope those who want to take on new challenges in the era of local decentralization will gain inspiration and ideas from this book," he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Mayor Kim plans to hold a "Performance Sharing Meeting" consisting of an author signing event and a talk concert at 2 p.m. on the 19th at Suwan Culture and Sports Center. Attendees include Kim Yujin, author of "God of Business," who participated in major policies such as economy and happiness during the 7th local government term; Ha Sangyong, head of the Gwangju Creative Economy Innovation Center, who led the Gwangsan Economic Vaccine Meeting; and Lee Jihoon, director of the National Total Happiness Policy Research Institute, who played a leading role in happiness policies.

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