Mayor Bang Se-hwan: "We Will Do Our Best to Realize 'Hopeful Change, Happy City Gwangju'"

Gwangju City Announces Major Policies for 2025
Five More Alley-Type Shopping Districts to Be Designated... All-Out Effort to Support Livelihood Economy
552.1 Billion KRW Invested in Education and Welfare... Full Commitment to Addressing Low Birth Rate Issues

Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Bang Se-hwan) announced the major city policies for 2025 on the 13th as the first session of the ‘Eulsa Year e-Policy Communication’.

Gwangju Mayor Bang Se-hwan is announcing the major city administration policies for 2025 as the first session of the 'Eulsa Year e-Policy Communication' on the 13th. Photo by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

This announcement introduced key policies in areas of high public interest, including the local economy, education and welfare, urban infrastructure, transportation policies, and the provincial sports competition.

First, to revitalize the local economy, the city plans to designate five additional alley-type shopping districts and inject vitality into the livelihood economy through the ‘Local Economy Revitalization Campaign’ and ‘Economic Vitality Support.’ Additionally, customized support measures for small business owners include providing 1.7 billion KRW in management funds, and a total of 8.3 billion KRW will be invested to enhance corporate capabilities and improve the business environment.

Alongside this, the city will allocate 552.1 billion KRW, accounting for 44.4% of this year’s budget, to education and welfare policies. Through this, the city will actively address low birth rates by expanding support policies across life cycles and services for pregnancy and childbirth. Furthermore, tailored welfare policies for children, youth, middle-aged, and elderly populations will be implemented to create a warm Gwangju where no one is left behind.

Regarding urban infrastructure policies, various development projects will be steadily promoted based on specialized strategies for each district according to the ‘2040 Gwangju City Urban Master Plan.’ In particular, preparing for the railway era centered on Gwangju Station by 2030, the city plans to strengthen the MICE industry and transportation transfer functions in the Gwangju Station area by developing shopping malls, general hospitals, wedding halls, and convention centers, laying the foundation for a self-sufficient city of 500,000 residents.

Moreover, in preparation for the paradigm shift toward railway-centered transportation, the city is diligently preparing railway network projects and improving traffic congestion during peak hours through the opening of the Anseong?Guri Expressway and the Yeokdong?Yangbeol Road. Additionally, traffic system improvement projects such as signal system upgrades and expansion of acceleration and deceleration lanes in habitual congestion zones will be implemented to enhance citizens’ transportation convenience.

In anticipation of the 2026 Gyeonggi Province Comprehensive Sports Competition, Gwangju City plans to complete all processes within this year for eight major facilities, including the main stadium of the comprehensive sports complex and the internationally certified indoor swimming pool, and to complete standardization for ten facilities. This will establish a foundation for hosting large-scale sports events and support citizens’ healthy lifestyles through elite athlete development and the promotion of community sports.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan stated, “2025 is a very important year to enhance the completeness and sustainability of a self-sufficient city of 500,000 residents,” adding, “We will do our best to realize ‘Hopeful Change, Happy City Gwangju’ that citizens can truly feel.”

Meanwhile, detailed information about this e-Policy Communication (Gwangju City, Drawing Hopeful Changes for 2025!) can be found on the official YouTube channel of Gwangju City Hall.

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