Kim Young-rok, Kang Ki-jung, and Min Hyung-bae Compete with Pledges for Eastern Jeonnam: Semiconductors, Medical Schools, and Industrial Complexes at the Forefront

Kim Young-rok: "Expanding the Gwangyang·Suncheon RE100 National Industrial Complex... Fostering Hubs for Semiconductors and Secondary Batteries"

Kang Ki-jung: "Integrating Medical School and University Hospital in Suncheon... Attracting a Fourth Hospital to Mokpo"

Min Hyung-bae: "Major Renovation of Yeosu Industrial Complex and Promotion of International Airport... Advancing as a World-Class Maritime City"

The competition among candidates aiming to become the first Special Mayor of Jeonnam·Gwangju is intensifying, particularly with their pledges focused on the eastern region of Jeonnam.

On the eve of the group TV debate for the Democratic Party primary, the candidates appealed to voters in the eastern region by prioritizing key local issues such as semiconductors, medical schools, and industrial complexes.

From the left, Gwangju Mayor Ki-jung Kang, preliminary candidate Youngrok Kim (suspended from Jeonnam governor duties), and National Assembly member Hyungbae Min.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam, held a press conference at the Suncheon City Council on March 16 and announced the 'Six Major Development Strategies for the Eastern Region of Jeonnam.'

Governor Kim stated, "We will expand the RE100 (100% renewable energy) national industrial complex in the Gwangyang·Suncheon area from 1.2 million pyeong to 2 million pyeong to create an advanced future industry complex, and we will develop the eastern region into a core hub for semiconductors and secondary batteries. The Gwangyang Bay area will be established as a high-function, high-capacity advanced semiconductor (HBM·HBF) mass production and export base, meeting the needs of global artificial intelligence (AI) companies."

He also reiterated his pledge to establish national university medical hospitals in both the western and eastern regions.

Governor Kim added, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the eastern region, the heart of the Special City (Jeonnam·Gwangju), evolves beyond a mere local hub to become the center of Korea's future high-tech industry and global tourism."

Kim Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju, presented 'Ten Promises for a City of One Million in the Eastern Region' at the same location immediately afterward.

In particular, regarding the ongoing conflict over the establishment of a medical school during the integration process of Mokpo National University (in the western region) and Suncheon National University (in the eastern region), Mayor Kim stated, "I will put an end to the debate," making this his first pledge.

Mayor Kim said, "We should not divide the medical school and hospital in half just to avoid immediate controversy. We will consolidate a medical school with a capacity of 100 students in Suncheon and establish a university hospital of matching scale here."

He added that Mokpo would host the integrated university headquarters and attract a fourth hospital to strengthen the insufficient healthcare system.

Mayor Kim also announced plans to transform the Gwangyang Bay and Yeosu industrial complexes into 'carbon-free power industrial complexes' and to attract semiconductor manufacturing processes to Suncheon.

Min Hyung-bae, Member of the National Assembly, is also scheduled to hold a press conference in the briefing room of Yeosu City Hall this afternoon, where he will outline his vision to develop Yeosu into a world-class maritime city.

Assemblyman Min stated, "We will promote a major renovation project to transform the Yeosu Industrial Complex into a carbon-neutral, AI, and advanced chemical industrial complex. We will replace outdated chemical facilities with AI-based smart factories to enhance production efficiency and safety, and transition into a next-generation smart manufacturing industrial complex."

He also pledged to build a tourism belt along the southern coast, create an international cruise tourism hub, expand the marine leisure industry, and boost nighttime tourism. In addition, he promised to upgrade Yeosu Airport to international status to attract tourists and global companies.

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