Mayor Kang Gijung: "Time for Gwangju to Open Korea's Growth Plate"

City Council Policy Address: Preparing for Tomorrow with "Future Industries and Culture"
Feeling the "Strength of Gwangju" After Overcoming the Pain of the December 3 Martial Law and Disaster
Proactive Economic Response: Launching the Export Industry Competitiveness Support Group

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong attended the 1st plenary session of the 330th temporary city council meeting held at the city council main chamber on the morning of the 4th and announced the major work plans for 2025. Photo by Gwangju City

On the 4th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung stated, "As we overcame the fear of the December 3 Martial Law and the pain of the disaster, I once again felt the proud 'strength of Gwangju.' Gwangju is a city that has always created opportunities even in times of crisis," adding, "Now it is time for Gwangju to open the growth plate of Korea. I will work to make Gwangju a city where the future of all citizens shines through a stronger democracy and a warmer livelihood economy."

On this day, in his policy address at the 330th temporary session of the Gwangju City Council, Mayor Kang explained the "2025 City Administration Direction."

He said, "On the night of martial law, the Gwangju community gathered at City Hall without a moment's hesitation and held an 'Emergency Martial Law Nullification Joint Conference' to show their resolve. The Jeju Air passenger plane disaster was a tremendous sorrow, but with 'Gwangju-style Integrated Care,' we did not miss the critical moment," expressing gratitude to citizens and public officials for their efforts.

He also added that author Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature, the Kia Tigers' 12th championship, and the export of Casper electric vehicles by Gwangju Global Motors (GGM) were also sources of pride for Gwangju.

Mayor Kang stated, "The democratic city of Gwangju is working hard to realize a city that is 'better to live in, better to do business in, and better to enjoy.'"

Specifically, he presented achievements such as: ▲Securing a 1 million-pyeong national industrial complex for future vehicles and a 2.2 million-pyeong specialized complex for future vehicles to prepare for future industries ▲Establishing the AX Demonstration Valley as the second phase of AI development, attracting 142 AI companies to Gwangju, and signing MOUs with 252 companies ▲Early and excess achievement of a 500 billion won startup fund and expansion to 81 demonstration spaces ▲Attracting five promising semiconductor design companies and fostering talent in AI, semiconductors, and cultural content ▲Realization of a 30 million urban user era through multi-purpose shopping malls and the Y-Belt ▲Realization of a "Daejabo" city ▲Creative changes in urban spaces ▲Nationalization of leading policies, among others.

Mayor Kang said, "However, the situation in Korea is very difficult," diagnosing, "With the declaration of martial law, Korea's external credibility has been damaged, and as the tariff war from the United States intensifies, the uncertainty of Korea's economy, which is highly dependent on external factors, is growing."

Accordingly, since the end of last year, the city plans to expand the "Home Appliance Industry Competitiveness Support Group" to the "Export Industry Competitiveness Support Group," broadening its scope from home appliances to all export industries such as automobiles, and operating a proactive and comprehensive management system.

Regarding city administration this year, Mayor Kang said, "Having experienced major events such as martial law and disasters, I will implement policies that become a support for citizens who are weary," adding, "With one hand, I will create a 'stronger democracy,' and with the other, I will be a capable ambidextrous leader who fosters a 'warmer livelihood economy.'"

Mayor Kang emphasized, "For a 'stronger democracy,' the December 3 martial law and the resulting crises must never be repeated," and "To address the vulnerabilities of democracy, we must institutionalize the inclusion of the May 18 Spirit in the Constitution's preamble, require prior consent from the National Assembly for martial law, and explicitly recognize the right to refuse unjust orders in the Constitution and laws."

He stated, "For a 'warmer livelihood economy,' we will prepare for Gwangju's future with 'future industries' and 'culture' as the two main pillars."

Gwangju will lead in future industries such as AI and future vehicles and startups to create quality jobs, expand special guarantees for small business owners by 170 billion won, extend the 10% discount issuance of the Win-Win Card, and protect small businesses and SMEs, the source of employment, through services such as childcare for small business owners.

He also plans to create a Gwangju that attracts and retains many visitors by combining various year-round events leveraging Gwangju's strengths in culture, arts, sports, and human rights, thereby "opening Gwangju's future through culture and tourism."

Meanwhile, Mayor Kang stated, "Gwangju is a city that has made strategic choices not only in politics but also in industry," adding, "This year, we will lay the foundation for industrial convergence growth by transforming the automobile industry into future vehicles, the optical industry into quantum, AI into super-giant AI, home appliances and robotics into humanoids, and energy into RE100, opening the growth plate of Korea through Gwangju."

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