Min Hyungbae: "Completing Naju as a City of 200,000 Residents by Growing Innovation City and Original Downtown Together"

Urban Transformation Driven by Second Phase of Public Institution Relocation
Proposing Self-Sustaining Growth Integrating Energy, Agriculture, and Tourism

Min Hyungbae, finalist candidate for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor Election from the Democratic Party of Korea, has proposed a vision to transform Naju into a “city of 200,000 residents” where the innovation city and the original downtown grow together. This strategy aims to leverage the second phase of public institution relocations as a turning point to restructure the city so that its energy industry base directly benefits citizens’ lives and incomes.

On April 10, through policy materials, Min stated, “Naju is a city equipped with the nation’s top-tier energy industry infrastructure, including Korea Electric Power Corporation, public energy institutions, the Energy Valley, and Korea Energy Engineering University.” He added, “I will shift Naju from a development model centered on the innovation city to one where the original downtown and innovation area are both revitalized.”

Hyungbae Min, the Democratic Party of Korea's final candidate for the integrated special mayor of Jeonnam and Gwangju. Provided by Min's campaign.

Min highlighted the second phase of public institution relocations as the key catalyst for transforming Naju’s urban structure. Rather than simply competing to attract institutions, he envisions strategically arranging their locations and roles to create a structure where local commerce, jobs, and housing are revitalized together. Through this, he plans to achieve a city where both the innovation city and original downtown thrive simultaneously.

He also announced a vision to turn Naju into a self-sustaining city where businesses, research institutes, and young people come together, with public institution relocations as the foundation. Min explained, “Relocating public institutions is not just about numbers, but about how to transform the city,” and added, “I will establish a sustainable growth structure that combines the energy industry, research and development, and everyday services.”

He emphasized that the core of Naju’s development strategy is “structural transformation, not just support.” His plan is to circulate energy produced in industrial complexes and the innovation city within the region, linking it to agriculture and daily life so that the energy industry translates into increased income for citizens.

Min also presented a regional economic model that combines the energy industry with agriculture and tourism. The agricultural sector will shift towards smart farms and high value-added crops, while tourism will be invigorated through the Yeongsangang National Garden and a stay-type tourism belt, establishing a structure where energy, agriculture, and tourism grow together.

The plan also includes expanding the metropolitan transportation network to connect Gwangju and Naju as a single living sphere. By building an integrated living area that encompasses commuting, education, healthcare, and culture, Min aims to improve residential conditions and lay the groundwork for real population inflow.

Min commented, “Naju has so far succeeded in building its foundation,” and added, “Now, we must move on to the next stage—connecting that foundation to citizens’ lives and incomes.”

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