Mayor Kang Gijeong Visits Ministry of Economy and Finance, Saying "Please Take Care of Gwangju"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, is continuing an extensive campaign to secure national funding for major pending projects next year.

On the 2nd, Mayor Kang visited the Ministry of Economy and Finance to meet with Choi Sang-dae, 2nd Vice Minister, and Park Geum-cheol, Social Budget Review Officer, followed by visits to key departments of the Budget Office to request that the national budget for regional pending projects for next year be reflected as much as possible in the government proposal.

Earlier, starting with a budget policy meeting with local lawmakers in June, Mayor Kang had requested national funding at various meetings including the July 8 Presidential-hosted meeting of provincial governors, the July 9 meeting with Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Choo Kyung-ho, and the July 18 People Power Party Honam Region Budget Policy Council.

During the meeting with 2nd Vice Minister Choi Sang-dae, he actively requested national budget inclusion for ▲ the creation of an AI-centered industrial convergence cluster ▲ establishment of a domestic AI semiconductor demonstration environment ▲ Yeongsan River and Hwangryong River Y-belt exciting projects ▲ demand-tailored support for win-win regional jobs ▲ construction of an Asia Culture and Arts Exchange Center ▲ establishment of a meta-factory for future car parts ▲ creation of a media art waterfront space along Gwangju Stream ▲ development of killer content based on Asian folktales and myths ▲ construction of the 3rd ring expressway network.

Mayor Kang emphasized in the meeting that projects such as the AI cluster creation and future mobility development are core initiatives of the 8th elected administration closely related to the new government’s national agenda, and requested active support to ensure their inclusion in next year’s government budget proposal.

Additionally, he visited various review officers and key departments of the Budget Office to explain and submit proposals for major pending projects by sector for next year.

On the 3rd, Gwangju City plans to hold a visiting policy meeting at the People Power Party Gwangju City Party office, and will maintain continuous communication with central government ministries, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as ruling and opposition lawmakers, responding comprehensively to secure national funding for next year until the government budget is finalized.

Mayor Kang said, “In a situation where the Ministry of Economy and Finance has declared it will implement the largest-ever expenditure restructuring, our city officials’ efforts have resulted in significant achievements in securing government budget,” adding, “We will carefully analyze the new government’s national agenda and major ministries’ policy directions, explain the relevance between our city’s pending issues and the national agenda, and do our best to secure the budget for key projects as much as possible.”

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