Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung: "Complex Shopping Mall Sailing Smoothly... Government and Ruling Party Must Present Measures"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong responded to People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seongdong's remark that the 'Gwangju complex shopping mall is stalling' by saying it is 'progressing smoothly.'

On the 4th, Mayor Kang posted on Facebook, "It is a statement that pours cold water on a project we are diligently working on," expressing his opposition.

He said, "Among the investors, Hyundai and Shinsegae have already expressed their willingness to invest, and other investors are also considering it carefully," adding, "Our city is also preparing various measures such as transparent and swift permits and approvals."

He continued, "The government and the ruling party should present measures on how to support the Gwangju complex shopping mall, which is both a presidential election pledge and a regional pledge, and if the 900 billion won requested from Representative Kwon is too much, they should propose what kind of support and how they plan to provide it," he countered.

Meanwhile, Floor Leader Kwon said on Facebook that day, "The Gwangju complex shopping mall project, which was expected to proceed smoothly, is once again at risk of stalling," explaining, "This is because local civic groups have demanded the formation of a 'public-private consultative body.'

He added, "In 2017, the project was frustrated due to fierce opposition from civic groups and the involvement of politicians including the Democratic Party," and stated, "The demand for a public-private consultative body is a preliminary move to repeat the opposition struggle by civic groups from five years ago."

He also asked, "The Democratic Party, which controls the Gwangju local government heads and council, must clarify its exact position on the complex shopping mall," questioning, "Will they allow free entry of businesses, or will they collude again with civic groups to trample on the wishes of Gwangju citizens?"

He then pointed out, "In July, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong requested 900 billion won in national funds to attract the complex shopping mall," and criticized, "If it costs 900 billion won in taxes to attract a single commercial facility, which company will invest in Gwangju in the future?"

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