Kang Ki-jung Announces Candidacy for Gwangju Mayor: "I Will Confidently Open a 'New Gwangju Era'"

"Gwangju's Overdue Task, Will Provide Answers Within 6 Months of Term Start"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Kang Gijeong announced his candidacy for the Gwangju Metropolitan City Mayor in the nationwide local elections on June 1.

On the 22nd, Kang held a press conference at the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry and stated, "The changed Kang Gijeong, the prepared Kang Gijeong, will confidently and swiftly open a new era for Gwangju."

He emphasized, "The new era for Gwangju means Gwangju leading future industries," adding, "In addition to existing industries, especially the automobile and AI industries, we will complete the industrial ecosystem with five new industrial zones and five new vitality special zones in next-generation batteries, autonomous vehicles, precision medicine, semiconductors, and MICE, thereby completing the future-leading 'Gwangju New Economic Map.'"

He also promised, "In Gwangju, where self-employment is the highest, we will establish a Neighborhood Commercial District Promotion Institute and support explosive startups of 'one-person companies' by creating a 500 billion won startup fund."

He continued, "The new era for Gwangju is a transition from the city that revolutionized history to an era that 'revolves my life,'" and argued, "If Gwangju has lived with pride as a sacred place of democratization, now it must move from being a 'symbol' to a 'model of life' city."

Furthermore, he said, "We will create what citizens want?complex shopping malls, amusement parks, and brand stores commonly found in other regions?by going out and making them happen," emphasizing, "The 20 pledges prepared for a prosperous and happy Gwangju under the slogan 'Now It’s Possible' will change the 'quality of my life.'"

He also stressed, "The mayor is the control tower for education and safety," stating, "I will not leave the responsibility for education solely to the superintendent nor the responsibility for safety solely to companies; the mayor will take responsibility for both the process and the results."

He promised the completion of a tailored care system from infants to the elderly with the five major all-day care guarantee systems, relieving worries for both children and parents.

Former Senior Secretary Kang said, "For the success of the new era of Gwangju, confident and swift execution internally and political leadership externally are necessary," emphasizing, "I will provide answers to Gwangju’s overdue tasks within six months of my term and will finalize the military airport relocation issue, which no one has solved for decades, within four years."

He explained, "The leadership needed for the new era must gather Gwangju’s internal energy in one place and utilize the central government’s network across party lines externally," adding, "Execution power and political leadership are my greatest strengths."

He concluded, "If we don’t change, nothing will ever change. With the creative passion of public officials and the collective intelligence of citizens, we will change Gwangju," and added, "Gwangju City will be a reliable support whenever citizens need it."

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