Former Gwangju Mayors Gathered Together for Gwangju's Development

Mayor Kang Ki-jung Holds Meeting Inviting Former Elected Mayors

Former elected mayors of Gwangju Metropolitan City gathered their wisdom for the development of Gwangju.

Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kang Gi-jung) announced on the 19th that it held a meeting inviting former elected mayors at the City Hall Business Room.

The meeting was organized to commemorate the first anniversary of the 8th elected term and to share future plans for Gwangju and hear valuable opinions for regional development. It was the first time in 4 years and 9 months since former mayors gathered in one place, the last being in September 2018, early in the 7th elected term.

The meeting was attended by Mayor Kang Gi-jung, former 2nd term Mayor Ko Jae-yu, 3rd and 4th term Mayor Park Kwang-tae, 5th term Mayor Kang Un-tae, and 7th term Mayor Lee Yong-seop, who exchanged various opinions for the development of Gwangju.

Mayor Kang Gi-jung said in his greeting, “Building on the paths paved and pioneered by former mayors for Gwangju’s development, we will open a new era for Gwangju,” and added, “I would like to hear the insights and advice of the former mayors.”

Following this, Bae Il-kwon, Director of Planning and Coordination Office of Gwangju City, explained the major policies of the 8th elected term, including ▲ Gwangju-style integrated care ▲ establishment of an artificial intelligence industry ecosystem ▲ the 14th Gwangju Biennale ▲ and the military airport relocation project.

Former Mayor Ko Jae-yu said, “The light industry that started in 2000 has steadily developed through the 3rd to 7th elected terms. The number of related companies, which was about 70 at the time, has now reached around 300, and the number of workers has reached about 8,000,” and added, “Since the related support law was recently established, I hope it will be further revitalized.”

He also commented, “The landfill site, which was difficult to establish during the 2nd elected term, is expected to reach saturation in five years, and I understand that a public contest is underway as a countermeasure,” and said, “Considering the recent trend of shifting waste disposal from landfill to incineration, I hope the related departments will actively work to ensure the project proceeds without aftereffects.”

Former Mayor Park Kwang-tae encouraged, “I hope you carry out city administration well with the spirit of ‘practicality and realism,’” and added, “Please serve the citizens as if they were the sky, govern together with the citizens, and create a prosperous Gwangju.”

Former Mayor Kang Un-tae said, “I attend the Biennale every year, and this year, not only the artworks but also the pavilions installed throughout the city and the theme seem to be well organized,” and emphasized, “Like this year’s Biennale theme, ‘Soft and Tender Like Water,’ I hope the 8th elected term administration will serve the citizens softly and tenderly while maintaining strong substance.”

He especially stressed, “Since Gwangju is promoting itself as a representative city of artificial intelligence, it should actively pursue hosting international competitions and establishing an AI gifted high school,” and urged, “Please work harder to develop competitive technologies in cooperation with local universities such as Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology so that Gwangju can stand tall as a representative AI city.”

Former Mayor Lee Yong-seop advised, “If Gwangju succeeds in the Gwangju-type job model through the eco-friendly automobile parts cluster and establishes itself as a representative AI city, jobs in Gwangju will open brightly,” and added, “I hope administrative power will be focused on specializing the AI industry.”

Mayor Kang Gi-jung said, “Today’s Gwangju exists through the ‘accumulated time’ connecting the past and present,” and added, “I will not forget the efforts of former mayors and will do my best to open a new era for Gwangju.”

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