[1st Anniversary of Mayor Kang Gijeong's 8th Term in Gwangju]⑩ Making Gwangju a Place Where Children Want to Stay...

A City Without Youth Is a Ghost... Desperate for Fun, Jobs, and Innovative Childcare Policies

All In on Four Major Visions: New Economic Map, Care Democracy Nation, Urban Alliance, and Climate Resilient City

The 'clock of Gwangju' under Mayor Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju Metropolitan City in the 8th term of direct election has passed 8,760 hours. Now, 26,280 hours remain. At the one-year press conference after his inauguration, Mayor Kang pledged, "Just as we have run tirelessly over the past year, we will lead changes in the daily lives of citizens that are visible and tangible, the growth of Gwangju and Jeonnam together, and new changes in the Republic of Korea over the next three years."

So, what do the citizens of Gwangju and the people who love Gwangju expect from the city? And how does the 8th term Gwangju City plan to lead new changes in Korea over the remaining three years?

▲ What Citizens Want from Gwangju

The Gwangju City spokesperson office recently asked for opinions on "What kind of Gwangju do you want?" through social networking services (SNS). A total of 2,611 SNS users, including Gwangju citizens, responded.

Since SNS users tend to be relatively young, there was a strong desire for Gwangju to be a "fun city."

"On the internet, Daejeon is joked about as a boring city, but at least Daejeon has Seongsimdang and Kumdori. When relatives come down from Seoul during holidays, there’s nowhere to goㅠㅠ. Whenever we try to do something, civic groups oppose it..."

"I once saw on a TV show a passing mention of 'Hanok Village Jeonju' and 'Marine Capital Yeosu,' and I felt regretful thinking, 'Is there really no representative image to introduce Gwangju?' There should be at least one global landmark or festival enjoyed by people worldwide that surpasses the Asia Culture Center and Mudeungsan Mountain."

Many expressed the hope that Gwangju would have a signature spot or activity that comes to mind when thinking of the city, like Jeonju’s Hanok Village. Some even directly criticized the atmosphere in Gwangju that rejects such ideas as "frustrating."

"What’s the point of being a metropolitan city? We must escape from boring Gwangju with no places to play, see, or enjoy. Gwangju, which embraces traditional markets but rejects new complex cultures, has no development. The outdated Gwangju that tries to solve problems by shaving heads, fasting, and hanging 'die' placards is frustrating. Please create a Gwangju that thinks about the future and where our children want to stay."

Along with concerns about population decline, there was a strong desire for measures such as "child-friendly environment," "housing stability policies," and "practical childcare policies" to increase marriage and birth rates in Gwangju.

"In April, 758 people left Gwangju while 315 people moved into Jeonnam. The number of births in Gwangju in the first quarter decreased compared to last year, showing the highest decline rate nationwide. Gwangju’s population is gradually decreasing and aging, so efforts are urgently needed. Without increasing the birth rate, Gwangju’s future will be bleak in a few years. Population increase measures must be established."

"Many people hesitate to get married and have children due to housing and childcare issues. Please continue to communicate with citizens for a better and happier Gwangju for everyone."

There was also a strong hope that Gwangju would become a city abundant in jobs, as the reason for population decline and youth leaving for the metropolitan area is "because of jobs."

"I hope we can solve the problem of youth leaving by creating a structure where people grow up, get educated, and get jobs at key local companies in the region, contributing to regional growth. I hope Gwangju becomes a city rich in jobs."

"With AI and electric vehicles on the rise, if we can attract such companies and make Gwangju soar, it would be really exciting."

There was also some harsh criticism regarding the city’s image improvement.

"There is no doubt that Gwangju is the holy ground of the May 18 Democratic Movement, but emphasizing May 18 too much causes some resentment from people in other regions. For tourism activation and attracting people from other regions, I hope Gwangju highlights other aspects and takes a step forward." <@je******.**o1>

Other expectations included "a Gwangju where you can receive treatment anywhere without discrimination when sick," "an open Gwangju where thoughts, actions, and development are all open," "a future city known as 'If AI, then Gwangju'," "a Gwangju without conflicts," "the city of light for young people," and "a Gwangju good for living with pets."

▲ Gwangju City’s Hopes and Vision

Regarding these citizen wishes, the 8th term Gwangju City pledged, "Gwangju, which led democracy in Korea, will now lead Korea’s change and challenge."

To this end, it presented the "Four Major Visions of Gwangju": a new economic map leading Korea’s future, a care-democratic state changing the welfare paradigm, a city alliance preventing local extinction and enhancing competitiveness, and a resilient city realizing climate crisis and climate justice.

First, the goal is to complete a new economic map that leads future-driven industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and future vehicles, injecting new vitality and changing the industrial landscape of Korea. Additionally, it plans to create a demonstration base by utilizing the entire city as a testbed for advanced technologies and accelerate infrastructure development and company attraction to increase startup success rates.

The model of the new care-democratic state has already begun with "Gwangju-style Integrated Care."

Mayor Kang emphasized, "Care is both a welfare policy and democracy itself," and "Gwangju-style Integrated Care started from the philosophy of the 'expanded Gwangju spirit,' which calls for shifting the care paradigm from family responsibility to social responsibility."

Gwangju City plans to complete its care system as Korea’s representative model by further developing medical services and housing sectors and strengthening the child care system alongside Gwangju-style Integrated Care.

It also concretizes super-regional cooperation projects aiming for a city alliance.

During the past year, the 8th term agreed with Naju on the contribution of innovation city development funds and with Hwasun on the transfer of management rights of Dongbok Dam. It cooperated closely with neighboring local governments such as Damyang for drought overcoming, including cooperation on Dongbok Dam discharge from Oedong Reservoir.

Gwangju plans to connect industrial strengths beyond administrative boundaries and expand living areas through Gwangju-Jangseong semiconductor and AI, Gwangju-Naju-Yeonggwang energy, Gwangju-Hampyeong future mobility, and Gwangju-Hwasun-Jangseong medical (bio) sectors.

It also proposed shortening the time for establishing southern regional transportation networks such as "Gwangju-Busan Gyeongjeon Line electrification," "Gwangju-Daegu Dalbit high-speed railway," "Gwangju-Goheung expressway," and "Gwangju-Yeongam Autobahn."

Having overcome the worst drought in 50 years through citizen participation and administrative preemptive response, Gwangju is now creating a "climate-resilient city" that can be safe from the increasingly common droughts, floods, and heatwaves.

Mayor Kang Gi-jung emphasized, "We must prevent local extinction and enhance competitiveness through cooperation, not competition," and "The city alliance will allow Gwangju and Jeonnam to grow together as one huge development axis and respond to the climate crisis."

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Ja-min]

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