Mayor Park Kwan-yeol emphasized on September 4 that "the sacrifices of Gwangju citizens are not a given, and if they are unreasonable, they cannot be justified."
On that day, Mayor Park visited the Presidential Regulatory Reform Committee to propose improvements to overlapping regulations affecting Gwangju City.
During a meeting in Seoul with Vice Chairman Park Yong-jin of the Regulatory Reform Committee, Mayor Park highlighted key regulations hindering Gwangju's future growth, including the need to improve regulations under the Capital Region Management Act concerning natural conservation areas and to establish special provisions in the Public Housing Special Act.
Mayor Park stated, "For the past 50 years, Gwangju has had to watch the dazzling growth of the metropolitan area while its living space was submerged in Lake Paldang. Now, Gwangju citizens deserve fair compensation for their sacrifices and opportunities for future growth."
He expressed his determination to eliminate unreasonable regulatory chains to ensure that citizens can enjoy equal rights to happiness and growth.
He also asserted that Gwangju has the geographical and locational advantages to become a central hub for metropolitan transportation and a key city for balanced national development.
Mayor Park aims to establish a self-sufficient city where housing and jobs grow together through large-scale land development and the creation of advanced industrial complexes, positioning Gwangju as a supporting city for the nation's advanced industries.
He envisions linking the development of advanced industries with large residential complexes to create a foundation for a self-sufficient city where jobs and housing grow in tandem.
He stressed the need for the central government to rationalize regulations and ensure fair distribution of opportunities for national projects so that Gwangju can fulfill its role as a supporting city for advanced industries.
Vice Chairman Park Yong-jin expressed understanding of Gwangju's unique situation and the necessity for regulatory improvements. He stated, "I will actively consider Gwangju's proposals in connection with the government's ongoing comprehensive reform of the regulatory system."
Local residents are viewing Mayor Park's efforts positively. One resident remarked, "It is time for the central government to properly address the sacrifices Gwangju has endured for decades due to various regulations," adding, "Protecting the environment and blocking regional development are two different issues." Another resident expressed hope that if regulations are eased, Gwangju can develop into a city that can solve both housing and job issues, noting, "The reality of commuting to other regions due to a lack of jobs while living in Gwangju needs to be improved."
Meanwhile, Mayor Park plans to continue discussions with the central government to focus administrative efforts on resolving overlapping regulations and securing a foundation for future growth in Gwangju.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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