Min Hyung-bae, the mayor of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, officially announced on the 12th that he will begin regular duties at the Muan Office, committing to directly address regional issues such as medical gaps in the southwestern region, the relocation of military airports, and the development of the semiconductor industry.
During a press conference held at 9:30 a.m. in the briefing room of the Muan Office, Min stated, "Starting today, I will begin regular duties centered around the Muan Office," adding, "I will work to resolve longstanding issues in the southwestern region and lay the groundwork for new growth."
This move to establish regular duties at the Muan Office is significant as it shifts the focus of managing key issues from the Gwangju Office to the southwestern region, following the establishment of the integrated special city.
Min noted, "It has been over 100 days since the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City was launched. During this time, I have traveled tirelessly across Jeonnam and Gwangju to lay the foundation for integration, particularly focusing on making the semiconductor industry, a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for Honam, a reality by managing key issues from the Gwangju Office."
He emphasized, "Now, we must expand these achievements throughout Jeonnam and Gwangju so that all citizens, regardless of where they live, can feel the changes brought by integration in their lives. That is why we chose integration."
Min specifically identified the southwestern region as an area where urgent issues need to be addressed.
He stated, "The place that weighs most heavily on my heart right now is the southwestern region," pointing out that there are pressing issues directly related to citizens' lives, such as establishing a local medical system to address gaps in essential and critical care and the relocation of military airports.
As a result, he plans to take a hands-on approach to key issues from the Muan Office and engage with citizens to hear their voices, focusing on regional administration.
Min prioritized the medical sector, pledging to accelerate the establishment of a local medical system that can fundamentally resolve medical gaps in the southwestern region.
Regarding the military airport relocation, he stated that he would listen to the opinions of Muan residents and work to clarify support plans for the relocation area while seeking practical solutions based on the principle of coexistence. He also expressed his commitment to focusing administrative efforts on revitalizing Muan International Airport.
In the industrial sector, he proposed developing the Muan National Industrial Complex as a key hub in the Honam semiconductor industry ecosystem.
Plans are in place to secure new growth engines for the southwestern region by connecting renewable energy resources such as offshore wind and solar power in Sinan with the National AI Computing Center in Haenam and the shipbuilding industry bases in Yeongam and Mokpo.
Min emphasized, "The growth of industries must translate into real investments and jobs, and the benefits must directly return to the lives of citizens."
During the press conference, the issue of selecting candidate universities for the establishment of a national medical university was also discussed. Min stated that he would hold accountable any significant errors identified in the selection process but noted that no issues warranting the cancellation of recommendations had been found so far.
With the declaration of regular duties at the Muan Office, there is growing interest in whether the establishment of a medical system in the southwestern region, the relocation of military airports, and the revitalization of Muan International Airport will lead to concrete policies and projects.
In particular, the issues of addressing medical gaps and relocating military airports, which are of high concern to local residents, will require consultations with relevant agencies, gathering resident opinions, and developing implementation plans, making the future process noteworthy.
Min Hyung-bae stated, "Regardless of where they live, citizens' rights must be equally respected, and they should share in growth opportunities for true integration," adding, "I will take my authority and responsibility as mayor to the places where citizens face difficulties and where pressing issues are piled up."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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