Kim Kyungsoo and Song Soonho Pledge to Transform Masan into a Gyeongnam-Style Seongsu-dong with Joint Policy Announcement

Kim Kyungsoo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, and Song Soonho, candidate for Mayor of Changwon Special City, have jointly presented a policy vision to transform Masan into a marine cultural city.

On May 11, Kim and Song held a joint press conference at the provincial government press center and announced the 'NEW Masan 2.0 Plan.'

At the event, Kim stated, "Together as one team with candidate Song, we will develop Masan into a Gyeongnam-style Seongsu-dong by the sea, and establish it as a leading model for a marine cultural city within the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (BUKG) megacity."

He first proposed a plan to repurpose the Masan branch of Lotte Department Store, which closed on June 30, 2024.

He explained that the Gyeongnam Cultural Foundation, currently located in Hapcheon, would be relocated to the former department store building, and would be split into the Cultural Foundation and the Content Industry Promotion Agency in order to greatly expand support for the content industry. He also mentioned the potential separation of the Film Commission.

In addition, he pledged to attract a second public institution related to the industrial development of Masan and the establishment of a marine cultural city to this site.

Plans were also revealed to create the 'BUKG Youth Startup Megatown' and connect it with facilities such as a shared university for culture and the arts, a co-living campus, content production studios, startup incubation spaces, and a youth venture capital (VC) desk.

Furthermore, a 'Youth Startup Investment Desk' directly under the governor's office will be set up, along with the creation of a 'Youth Startup Mega Fund.'

Regarding the stalled Masan Marine New City project, the candidates pledged to establish a digital free trade zone and a DNA Innovation Town as platforms for artificial intelligence (AI) transformation and physical AI demonstration hubs, with the aim of attracting 100 AI software companies.

They also discussed ▲ attracting a National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Changwon branch ▲ establishing the K-POP Hall of Fame ▲ globalizing the K-POP World Festival ▲ building a memorial museum for the first generation of engineers who led Korea's industrialization ▲ and pursuing the World Engineers Convention (WEC).

In addition, a 'Masan Bay Era Committee' directly under the governor's office will be established to integrate the currently fragmented authority of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Changwon City, and to provide substantial financial support.

Kim stated, "Based on public institutions attracted by a governor with influence, we will usher in the NEW Masan 2.0 era, where culture and the arts, youth startups, universities, commercial districts, and the marine new city advance together."

Song said, "Together with candidate Kim, we will change everyday life in Masan," before announcing his detailed pledges.

He first mentioned making the Pallyong Tunnel, which connects Yangdeok Intersection in Masanhoewon-gu and Pyeongsan Intersection in Uichang-gu, toll-free. He promised that upon election, the city would immediately acquire operating rights for the tunnel to eliminate the burden of tolls.

Song also pledged to build an integrated transfer center at Masan Station, combining the intercity bus terminal, so that transfers between KTX trains and buses can be completed within 10 minutes. He added that the introduction of the Korean-style trackless tram K-TRT would usher in an era where travel from Masan to Changwon to Jinhae would take only 30 minutes.

He proposed as key pledges the redevelopment of the Wollyeong, Mannaljae, and Old Downtown axes stretching from Muhaksan Mountain to Masan Bay, as well as the construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting Dotseom Island.

Regarding the plan to implement the S-BRT (Super Bus Rapid Transit) system in the Masan section, he stated, "Citizens who experienced inconvenience during the construction of the Changwon section of the S-BRT are now viewing the Masan section project negatively. If the problems observed during the Changwon section construction are repeated without being addressed, it could lead to mass complaints, so the Masan section project must be carefully reconsidered."

He added, "If there is a transportation system among the existing BRT plan and the trackless tram that is more effective and causes less inconvenience, it would be reasonable to adopt that system," and said, "I believe the trackless tram is suitable as a transportation network connecting Masan, Changwon, and Jinhae."

The two candidates emphasized, "The governor and mayor will act as one to open a new heyday for Masan," and said, "Kim Kyungsoo and Song Soonho will work as a unified team to change the map of Masan."