Park Wansu and Hong Taeyong: "Gimhae to Become Northeast Asia's Key Hub for Logistics and Future Industries"

Development of the International Business City in Hwameok-dong, and More

"We will develop Gimhae into a key hub city in Northeast Asia, combining logistics with future industries."

On May 7, Park Wansu, a preliminary candidate for Gyeongnam Province governor from the People Power Party, and Hong Taeyong, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Gimhae, held a joint press conference at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Press Center to announce their shared vision for Gimhae's advancement.

Park Wansu, preliminary candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province from the People Power Party (right), and Hong Taeyong, preliminary candidate for Mayor of Gimhae, held a joint press conference to announce a shared vision for the advancement of Gimhae.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

Park and Hong further detailed their campaign pledge to develop the 'International Business City' in the Hwameok-dong area of Gimhae, a plan they had announced in April while serving as governor and mayor, respectively.

The plan calls for designating the entire Hwameok-dong area as an economic free zone or free trade zone ten times the size of Yeouido, and for building the largest international convention center in the southeastern region.

Additionally, they plan to establish five key sites: a global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry hub, a multi-functional logistics hub, and a logistics artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics cluster, among others.

Along with this, they will provide a residential complex for 30,000 households on a site of 600,000 pyeong to ensure a stable living environment for the workforce, and create a 1.1 million pyeong space dedicated to culture, arts, and relaxation.

The two candidates explained that the creation of the International Business City is expected to generate 123 trillion won in economic output and create 800,000 jobs.

They also stated their intention to create a "Gyeongnam Cultural Content Innovation Valley" in the Jangyu area, aiming to establish a "second Pangyo."

The plan includes clustering facilities for content companies, related public institutions, and exhibition and experience spaces to foster the area as a hub for future industries.

In addition, regarding the currently ongoing "Global Convergence Content Industry Town" project, they pledged to apply for the central government investment review for the construction of a convergence exhibition and experience center within the year and to swiftly complete the establishment of the Gyeongnam Cultural Content Industry Promotion Agency.

International Business City Development Plan for Hwamuokdong Area, Gimhae, Gyeongnam. [Provided by: Candidate Hong Taeyong's Election Office]

The two candidates also plan to complete the construction of the Gimhae Public Medical Center.

The goal is to build a general hospital with 300 beds, consisting of two basement levels and six floors above ground. After the local elections, they aim to pass the government’s preliminary feasibility study and begin construction within the ninth term of the local administration.

Additionally, they plan to introduce the "G-Bus," a metropolitan express bus system linking Gimhae with Changwon, Busan, and Ulsan. Like the "M-Bus" system in the Seoul metropolitan area, the G-Bus will only stop at major hubs in each region to dramatically reduce travel times.

They also pledged to: partially open the Bujeon-Masan double-track railway in the first half of next year and fully open the entire section by 2027; reflect the 10.2 km extension project of the Changwon-Gimhae Expressway branch, including the Bieumsan Tunnel, in the second phase of the national road network modification plan; include the Gimhae-Yangsan Nakdong River railway project in the fifth national railway network construction plan; complete the future automobile cluster ahead of schedule; finish the construction of the Jinyeong Tech-Up General Industrial Complex; and establish the Jangyu Government Office.

The two candidates said, "The future vision for Gimhae City is to become a hub city for future industries connected to logistics," adding, "As the core hinterland of the Triport linking Jinhae New Port, the new Gadeokdo International Airport, and Gimhae Airport, we will lay the foundation for the MICE industry by building a multi-functional logistics infrastructure and the largest convention center south of the Han River."

They continued, "By clustering related institutions, facilities, and industries, we will ensure that young people and their dreams and ambitions remain in Gimhae, upgrade city infrastructure such as medical facilities and metropolitan transportation systems to match the status of a major city, and steadily develop the foundation for future industries such as future vehicles and robotics."

They further emphasized, "Park Wansu and Hong Taeyong will make Gimhae an international business city, a hub for the cultural content industry, a city with strong public healthcare, a city with superb connectivity, and a city where future industries flourish."

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