Choi Chi-hyun: "Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju to Transform 'UAM Project' into Logistics and Transportation Hub"

Future-Oriented Transportation Business... Economic Revitalization Expected

Utilization of Closed Imkok Station Building and Imkok-dong Open Land Complex Development

Choi Chi-hyun, a preliminary candidate for the National Assembly representing Gwangsan-gu (Eul) electoral district in Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced on the 11th that he will promote the UAM (Urban Air Mobility) project, a future-oriented transportation system, as a new economic policy to develop Gwangsan-gu into a smart city, create sustainable jobs, and prepare future growth engines.

Candidate Choi recently held an economic policy meeting with advisory committee members from the professor policy advisory group, establishing the UAM project as a new economic policy through discussions on major economic policies and future directions, and has begun a detailed diagnosis.

The UAM project is a new concept transportation system featuring aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. It enables rapid movement within urban areas, addressing traffic congestion issues and offering a highly time-efficient future transportation solution.

Also known as flying taxis, this project is receiving significant attention from aviation and automobile companies. The core of this project lies in technology and fuel, and Gwangju is well-equipped with Kia Motors and Hogreen Air, a liquefied hydrogen company, providing sufficient conditions.

Moreover, if the closed Imgok Station building is utilized as a UAM terminal and approximately 100,000 pyeong of open land in Imgok-dong is developed into a research and demonstration cluster linked to the UAM project, it is expected to create high-quality, sustainable jobs such as UAM pilots and revitalize the Imgok district, thereby brightening the economic outlook of Gwangsan-gu.

The construction of vertiports, which are UAM stations, is a key element of urban air transportation infrastructure. Local construction companies in Gwangju possess the technological capabilities, and KT and SKT can participate in the development of 6G communication technology, ensuring sufficient communication infrastructure, according to Candidate Choi’s assessment.

This will not only have a significant impact on technological advancement and industrial growth in Gwangju’s future mobility sector but also open opportunities to attract and collaborate with large corporations by utilizing the available land at Samsung Electronics’ Hanam plant.

Furthermore, linking Hogreen Air’s liquefied hydrogen research and hydrogen drone cluster with the UAM project is expected to bring extensive technological advancements in related fields and establish a new hub for advanced logistics and transportation.

Hydrogen drones capable of flying for 13 hours on a single charge have already been developed, and the industry forecasts the UAM project’s market value to range from approximately 731 trillion to 1,800 trillion KRW. Candidate Choi expressed a strong determination that Gwangsan-gu must take the lead in ushering in the era of aerial transportation.

He also expressed optimism that linking the tourism industries of the Mudeungsan area in Gwangju with surrounding regions such as Damyang, Hwasun, Jangseong, and Naju could solve the challenges of the southern metropolitan area and serve as a key to overcoming regional crises.

Candidate Choi stated, “The UAM project will become a blue ocean for Gwangsan-gu, simultaneously boosting the local economy, culture, industry, and regional development.”

Presenting the 8 major blue visions that include two key tasks and six pledges for an innovative and sustainable Gwangju and the future of Gwangsan-gu, Candidate Choi proposed economic policies in the economic sector such as “building a future-oriented eco-friendly smart industrial complex,” “supporting and nurturing small, medium, and material, parts, and equipment companies with increased R&D budgets,” and “attracting artificial intelligence semiconductor manufacturing companies based on the national AI data center” to foster future industries and technological innovation.

Candidate Choi Chi-hyun said, “Flying taxis, as seen in the movie Back to the Future, are already being developed and are on the verge of commercialization. In Honam, Gwangsan-gu will take the lead in promoting the UAM project,” adding, “With seven industrial complexes, Gwangsan-gu is a frontline base for job creation and future growth in Gwangju. A new logistics solution is needed to expand this further, and that is precisely the UAM project, a future-oriented transportation system.”

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