[1st Anniversary of Mayor Kang Gijeong of Gwangju in the 8th Civil Election]③ "Take Care of People's Livelihood"

Discussion on Livelihood Measures Instead of Executive Officials' Meeting on First Day of Inauguration

Support for Ordinary Citizens, Small Business Owners, and SMEs... Establishing a Startup Ecosystem

The first approval after Kang Ki-jung took office as mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City was the ‘100-Day Livelihood Measures.’ On his first day in office, instead of the usual introductory meeting between the new mayor and senior officials, a discussion on livelihood measures was held. This reflects his intention to avoid formal ceremonies and promptly address livelihood issues, showing how urgently he regards the public’s welfare.

Mayor Kang’s commitment to “address livelihood issues” has continued through the ‘2023 Gwangju Economy, Adding Stability+’ policy, which is rapidly advancing support for ordinary citizens and small business owners struggling amid the economic crisis, building startup ecosystem infrastructure, and establishing a foundation for future new industries.

◆ Operation of the Public-Private Joint ‘Livelihood Economy Countermeasures Headquarters’

Gwangju City implemented a ‘100-Day Livelihood Measures for High Oil Prices and High Inflation’ by investing 25.7 billion KRW to promote nine tasks across three areas: controlling public prices, strengthening the economic safety net, and stimulating consumption to sustain the local economy. Additionally, practical support was provided to small business owners and SMEs facing difficulties due to high prices and declining sales, including a special guarantee program worth 50 billion KRW and management stabilization funds for small manufacturers.

A cooperative system was also established to proactively respond to the local economic crisis. The ‘Livelihood Economy Countermeasures Headquarters,’ a public-private joint organization consisting of 18 institutions including Gwangju City, investment and foundation agencies, economic organizations, and related institutions, has been formed and is operating.

◆ Gwangju Economy, Adding Stability+

This year, Gwangju City has focused its economic policy on three pillars: ‘livelihood stability,’ ‘startup success,’ and ‘industrial prosperity,’ establishing the ‘2023 Gwangju Economy, Adding Stability+’ policy and is rapidly advancing 46 major projects.

To stabilize the ordinary economy, 134.1 billion KRW has been invested in job policies that ‘increase income and reduce expenses,’ along with various measures to reduce costs in housing, transportation, energy, and communication. This is to alleviate the burden on households caused by the ongoing high inflation, high oil prices, and high exchange rates, which are expected to slow growth due to reduced private consumption and sluggish trade.

In particular, tailored job support for different groups affected by worsening employment conditions?such as the elderly, middle-aged, youth, women, disabled persons, and low-income groups?has been swiftly implemented. Thanks to an additional 8.6 billion KRW from city funds, elderly job positions, which were at risk of reduction due to government policy changes, have been maintained and operated. The Bittgoeul 50+ job support program, which provides social contribution and career-type jobs utilizing the experience and expertise of middle-aged people, has more than doubled the number of employed individuals compared to the previous year (from 160 to 360), aiming to stabilize employment. Regional youth-led job projects to promote youth employment market entry and one-stop employment support services for women with career interruptions are also underway.

Various types of overseas gap year activities are supported so that young people can turn the gap period during their studies and job preparation into an opportunity for growth. This project offers youth the time and chance to explore their interests and aptitudes and set their career paths through experiences such as volunteer trips, expert courses, living abroad for a month, and working holidays.

◆ Fostering Startup Companies and Building Startup Infrastructure

Focus is also placed on fostering startup companies and building startup infrastructure.

In October last year, Gwangju City declared the vision of Gwangju as an opportunity city with a high startup success rate, including the ‘Gwangju-type Testbed Creation’ and ‘Fostering 10 Prospective Unicorns.’ To realize this, detailed strategies such as ▲ establishing a 500 billion KRW startup fund ▲ demonstration support projects ▲ Gwangju Startup Festival were announced.

To activate investment, considered the first key to startup success, Gwangju City is accelerating the establishment of a 500 billion KRW startup fund. A fund worth 325.9 billion KRW is being created for technology startups in future new industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cultural industries to facilitate easier investment. Additionally, a new ‘Startup Growth Ladder Fund’ worth 200 billion KRW is being established to provide customized support from the early to growth stages of startups, expanding investment opportunities for local startups.

The entire city is being transformed into a demonstration testbed so that anyone with an idea can come to Gwangju and realize their dreams. This is an innovative technology excellent product testbed demonstration support project. Companies can demonstrate innovative technologies and services in Gwangju, and citizens can be the first to experience new technologies and services.

Startup bases are being expanded by connecting startup camps AI Startup Camp 1 and 2, I-PLEX, Gwangju Real Content Cube (GCC), and the AI cluster startup demonstration building with the Gwangju Station Startup Valley, a hub for startup growth, thereby establishing startup infrastructure throughout the city.

Furthermore, while previous startup fostering policies were centered on project-based support, going forward, ‘package support by growth stage’ through the startup growth ladder is planned, covering everything from investment to fostering regional unicorns.

To spread startup culture and discover excellent local startups, the first-ever large-scale Startup Festival will be held in November this year, and efforts are being accelerated to create an AI-centered industrial convergence complex to build the world’s largest AI infrastructure.

Mayor Kang said, “To overcome the complex crisis, we will build a more robust social safety net for ordinary citizens and small business owners,” adding, “By expanding the startup ecosystem and focusing on fostering future new industries, we will create an opportunity city with a high startup success rate and a dynamic economic and industrial city, revitalizing the economy.”

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