Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung Talks with Dong-gu Chungjang-ro Merchants to Revitalize Commercial Area

25th Policy Picnic... Listening to On-site Challenges

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung discussed revitalizing the local alleyway economy with merchants on Chungjang-ro in Dong-gu on the 25th.

Mayor Kang has been focusing on securing national budgets amid the ongoing economic downturn, while also prioritizing economic measures such as supporting small business owners facing crisis situations.

According to Gwangju City, Mayor Kang held the 25th ‘Policy Picnic’ on Chungjang-ro 4 and 5-ga that day. He personally visited stores run by artisans who have maintained their legacy for over 30 years, including Arirang Judan, Donga Silk, Eden Workshop, and Jeon Byeongwon Tailor Shop, to discuss on-site difficulties and support measures.

Afterwards, Mayor Kang moved to ‘Chungjang22,’ a cultural and artistic industry support facility established in Chungjang-ro 5-ga, where he held a meeting with small business owners.

The meeting was attended by about 10 people, including Mayor Kang, members of the Chungjang45 Win-Win Development Council, a residents’ cooperative of Chungjang-ro 4 and 5-ga, and artisans known as living witnesses of Chungjang-ro 4 and 5-ga.

The artisans shared their opinions on effective support measures for small business owners to revitalize the commercial district. They unanimously agreed on the need for settling and cooperation of the younger generation, as well as the installation of craft workshop experience and exhibition facilities to boost the local economy.

Jeon Byeongwon, chairman of the Chungjang45 Win-Win Development Council, said, “We are diligently preparing to revitalize the commercial district with the belief that ‘we can definitely overcome this.’ We need a space where the craftsmanship of artisans can be exhibited and experienced, and where young people can participate together.”

Mayor Kang stated, “Chungjang-ro 4 and 5-ga, home to century-old and long-standing stores, is like a hidden gem where the breath of artisans lives on. Since it has great potential in style, taste, meaning, and future prospects, we will do our best to make it shine from both industrial and tourism perspectives.”

Meanwhile, Gwangju City is investing approximately 51.7 billion KRW this year to promote 27 projects aimed at creating a stable business environment and strengthening the self-sustainability of small business owners, who are the foundation of the local economy.

Key projects include ▲special guarantees for small business owners ▲rental support for micro small business owners ▲wage support for new hires ▲social insurance support ▲operation of public delivery apps ▲digital commerce support, among others.

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