Kang Gijung: "Gwangju AI Is the Key to South Korea's AI Competitiveness"

Attending the "Provincial Governors Policy Conference"... AI-Themed Discussion
Speed and Concentration Are Crucial in the AI War... AI Industry Should Be Concentrated in Gwangju

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong (first from the left) is attending the "2nd National Governors Policy Forum" held on the morning of the 25th at the Korea Broadcasting Center in Seoul, explaining the necessity of core resource concentration required for AI development. Second from the left is Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu, and fourth from the left is Incheon Mayor Yoo Jungbok. Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung stated at the "Provincial Governors Policy Conference" held at the Korea Broadcasting Hall in Seoul on the 25th, "The solution to survive in the global AI war is speed and concentration," and added, "Concentrating the AI industry, including the AI Computing Center, as quickly as possible in Gwangju, which has the largest infrastructure in the country, is the answer to enhancing Korea's AI competitiveness."

Mayor Kang emphasized, "Although Korea is making various efforts to become a powerhouse in AI, the reality is not easy," and added, "Gwangju has established the nation's best AI infrastructure by building the first AI industry ecosystem outside the capital region."

In fact, Gwangju has achieved significant results in nurturing AI talent, such as through the Artificial Intelligence Academy, and promising AI semiconductor design companies have evaluated that they 'came to Gwangju because of its talent.' As a result, more than 260 AI companies have chosen to move to Gwangju, leading the way in building an AI industry ecosystem.

Mayor Kang said, "Gwangju is now ready to move toward large-scale AI, in addition to the second-phase AX Demonstration Valley project, which utilizes AI to solve social problems and connects AI to other industries," and asserted, "Establishing the National AI Computing Center in Gwangju will be the best choice to rapidly enhance the nation's AI capabilities."

Regarding the 30-year evaluation of local autonomy, Mayor Kang defined it as "a history of fasting and struggle." He said, "Local autonomy began with the hunger strikes of former Presidents Kim Youngsam and Kim Daejung, developed through the enactment of the Special Act on Balanced National Development and the relocation of public institutions during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the 5+2 metropolitan economic zone policy during the Lee Myungbak administration, and the complete revision of the Local Autonomy Act and exemption from preliminary feasibility studies for regional strategic industries during the Moon Jaein administration," adding, "From now on, local governments should become the main actors and lead Korea's growth, going beyond simply establishing the local autonomy system."

Regarding Incheon City's low birthrate policy, Mayor Kang added, "If the government actively reviews and implements as national pilot projects the successful local initiatives, such as Gwangju's parental leave work substitute allowance and the 10 a.m. start time for parents of elementary school students, and expands them nationwide, it will have a greater positive effect in responding to the low birthrate issue."

He also mentioned that for the aerospace industry in Gyeongnam Province to develop, the optical industry is also important, introducing that Gwangju is fostering the optical industry, and emphasized the importance of nurturing talent, as seen in Gwangju's AI industry.

This conference was held as a special live broadcast jointly organized by the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club and the Council of Provincial Governors to mark 30 years of local autonomy. It proceeded in the order of ▲30-year evaluation of local autonomy ▲thematic discussion ▲closing remarks. The executive members of the Council of Provincial Governors?Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeongbok, and Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu?participated. Gwangju discussed the AI industry, Incheon discussed the low birthrate, and Gyeongnam discussed aerospace policy in the thematic discussions.

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