GWANGJU, Gyeonggi Province — Gwangju Mayor Park Kwan-yeol has asked Gyeonggi Province for active cooperation to ease the burden the city faces from the construction of the Yongin semiconductor industrial complex and to build a foundation for future growth.
Park visited the Gyeonggi provincial government office recently and handed Governor Choo Mi-ae a proposal titled "Gwangju City's Mutual Growth Plan for the Successful Construction of the Yongin Semiconductor Industrial Complex," the city said on the 8th. At the meeting, Park stressed the need for provincial-level support on the city's key issues and for cooperation among relevant agencies.
"The Yongin semiconductor industrial complex is a core project to strengthen national competitiveness," Park said. "Gwangju, where the integrated water supply infrastructure will be installed, also needs to respond in advance to changes such as population growth, an influx of companies and expanding transportation demand."
Park said the city needs a new development strategy linked to the semiconductor industry. His main requests were administrative and policy support from Gyeonggi Province for a self-sufficient smart city of 30,000 homes and for a national industrial complex.
Gwangju also asked for support in creating a special exemption clause under the Special Act on Public Housing to resolve regulatory obstacles expected during the project. The city plans to use this to build a self-sufficient city that combines housing, jobs, industry and commercial and business functions.
The city also presented attracting companies tied to the Yongin semiconductor complex, revitalizing the local economy and expanding transportation and living infrastructure as key tasks. Gwangju aims to grow into one pillar of the semiconductor industry ecosystem rather than remain a mere host area.
Park stressed that the formation of a "pan-government consultative body" involving relevant agencies should also be expedited. He asked Gyeonggi Province to take a leading role so that Gwangju's mutual growth measures are reflected in actual policy during the construction of the Yongin complex.
Choo agreed with the direction that Gwangju should develop into a self-sufficient city. "We will actively review provincial-level support measures for the 30,000-home smart city and the national industrial complex," the governor said.
"On the proposal to form a pan-government consultative body, we will consult with relevant agencies so that Gwangju's requests can be discussed in substance," Choo added.
"We will continue to consult with the central government, Gyeonggi Province and relevant agencies," Park said. "We will do our best to ensure that the 30,000-home smart city and the national industrial complex lead to local development that residents can feel."
