Park Kwan-yeol, the mayor of Gwangju, is proactively responding to the changes brought by the establishment of the Yongin semiconductor industrial complex and is developing a cooperative strategy to turn this into a new opportunity for regional development.
On September 4, Mayor Park visited the Gyeonggi Provincial Office and presented a proposal to Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae outlining a cooperative plan for Gwangju to ensure the successful establishment of the Yongin semiconductor industrial complex. He requested active support and collaboration from the province to build a foundation for future growth in Gwangju.
The core of this proposal is the concept of a 'self-sufficient city Gwangju' linked to the semiconductor industry.
With the establishment of the Yongin semiconductor industrial complex, significant changes are expected in Gwangju, including an influx of population and businesses, as well as increased traffic. Mayor Park envisions transforming Gwangju from a simple hinterland into a self-sufficient city with residential, job, industrial, and commercial functions.
To achieve this, he has requested Gyeonggi Province to support the creation of a smart city with 30,000 housing units and the establishment of a national industrial complex.
In particular, he proposed the introduction of special provisions in the 'Public Housing Special Act' to improve various regulations that hinder the development of smart cities.
The strategy aims to create a self-sufficient city that integrates residential, job, industrial, and commercial functions, thereby attracting businesses and revitalizing the local economy in connection with the Yongin semiconductor industrial complex.
Additionally, Mayor Park suggested the prompt formation of a 'government-wide cooperation committee' involving the central government, Gyeonggi Province, and relevant agencies to ensure that Gwangju's cooperative plan is reflected in actual policies rather than remaining a mere declaration.
Gyeonggi Province has expressed its agreement with Gwangju's direction and indicated its willingness to support the initiative.
Governor Choo Mi-ae stated, "I agree on the necessity of developing Gwangju as a self-sufficient city and will actively consider support measures for the creation of 30,000 smart city units and the national industrial complex." She also expressed her intention to actively consult with relevant agencies regarding the formation of the government-wide cooperation committee.
Mayor Park Kwan-yeol emphasized, "We must ensure that the national project of establishing the Yongin semiconductor industrial complex becomes a new growth engine for Gwangju." He added, "I will continue to discuss key issues, including the creation of 30,000 smart city units and the national industrial complex, with the central government, Gyeonggi Province, and relevant agencies to connect them to tangible regional development that citizens can feel."
Meanwhile, attention is focused on whether Mayor Park can elevate Gwangju from being a simple hinterland of the Yongin semiconductor industrial complex to a self-sufficient city where industry, housing, and jobs grow together.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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