"Achieving Balanced Development Across All of Gwangju"...Candidate Bang Hye-hwan Announces Tailored Pledges for Five Regions

Bang Hyehwan, Gwangju Mayoral Candidate, Unveils Pledges for Five Districts
Strengthening Transportation, Welfare, and Tourism Infrastructure
"Balanced Development to Transform All of Gwangju Equally"

Bangs Hye-hwan, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, has unveiled a region-specific set of pledges by dividing Gwangju into five zones, presenting his vision for balanced development.

Bang Se-hwan, Candidate for Mayor of Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province. Provided by Candidate Bang Se-hwan

On May 19, Bangs announced his local pledges, stating, "If the past four years were a period of fundamentally reshaping the city, the next four years will focus on meticulously enhancing the daily lives of citizens. I will ensure that people can experience development without discrimination, wherever they live in Gwangju."

This set of pledges reflects the unique characteristics and daily needs of five regions—Gyeongan·Ssangryeong·Songjeong·Tanbeol, Gwangnam 1-dong·2-dong, Opo district, Northern district (Toechon·Namjong·Namhansanseong), and Southern district (Chowol·Gonjiam·Docheok)—and comprehensively includes plans for transportation, living SOC, welfare, culture, and tourism infrastructure.

For the downtown-focused area of Gyeongan·Ssangryeong·Songjeong·Tanbeol, the pledges prioritize resolving parking shortages and improving the living environment. The plan includes expanding public parking lots, improving pedestrian pathways, and redeveloping Gyeongan Public Stadium to restore urban functions. It also aims to construct senior welfare centers, veterans' halls, and new administrative welfare centers. Additionally, early commencement of the Ibajae Tunnel to Agricultural Technology Center section and construction of a Carbon Neutral Wood Education Center are included.

In the Gwangnam district (Gwangnam 1-dong and 2-dong), the focus is on alleviating traffic congestion and creating waterfront and cultural spaces. Road widening projects between Jikdong IC and Samdong, as well as Samdong and Jungdaedong, along with major road improvements, are planned to resolve chronic bottlenecks. Plans also include creating a riverside leisure space along Jikricheon, developing cultural facilities at Jungdae Mulbit Park, and expanding citizen leisure areas. The construction of a skybridge near Kunbyeol Park is also part of the pledges.

For the Opo district (Opo 1-dong, 2-dong, Sinhyeon, and Neungpyeong), the key is expanding living infrastructure in response to rapid population growth. Following the approval of the detailed plan for the Suseo-Gwangju double-track railway, which will enable a 12-minute commute to Gangnam, Bangs plans to ensure the project proceeds smoothly up to construction, significantly improving transportation convenience for Opo 1-dong and 2-dong. The longstanding demand in the Sinhyeon-Neungpyeong area for the Tajaegogae Tunnel will be addressed to ease chronic traffic congestion and dramatically improve connectivity between regions.

Additionally, Bangs aims to strengthen administrative, welfare, and sports functions simultaneously by building new administrative and cultural complexes, health and welfare centers, and sports parks. He also plans to improve the residential environment by creating riverside eco-forests and expanding roads.

The Northern district (Toechon, Namjong, Namhansanseong) is to be developed as a healing and stay-type region combining nature and tourism. Efforts will be made to expand the Toechon-myeon government office, Namjong Happiness Center, and Namhansanseong Community Center, as well as to enhance riverside tourism infrastructure at Paldang, Nurungol Natural Recreation Forest, and attract the National Healing Forest, aiming to foster the area as a leading healing tourism destination in the capital region.

The Southern district (Chowol, Gonjiam, Docheok) is to be cultivated as a future growth hub. The plan includes building sports and cultural complexes, senior welfare towns, expanding embankment trails, and creating industrial clusters to simultaneously strengthen the residential environment and economic base. There are also plans to promote forest tourism centered on Taehwasan and to create a healing forest.

Bangs emphasized, "These regional pledges are not just a list of facilities, but a balanced development strategy with clearly defined functions and roles for each zone. I will complete an urban structure where transportation, welfare, culture, and the economy are organically connected."

He added, "Gwangju's development will be achieved only when all areas grow together, not just specific regions. I will make sure every citizen can experience meaningful changes in their daily lives, and I will fulfill every pledge I have promised."

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