'3+1 axis' focused on attracting advanced industries like semiconductors, AI and energy
Kim Young-rok, the Jeonnam governor who first publicly proposed the administrative merger of Gwangju and Jeonnam, announced today (the 10th) that he will run for mayor of the Jeonnam–Gwangju Special City.
Kim held a morning press conference at Kim Dae-jung Square in Samhyang-eup, Muan County, and said he would transform Gwangju–Jeonnam — long regarded as a cradle of democratization — into a cradle of \"economic democratization\" that leads South Korea's economy.
He said the Gwangju–Jeonnam integration, made possible by President Lee Jae-myung's active backing, demonstrated that a single outstanding leader can change the course of history. He added that the next 100 years for the Jeonnam–Gwangju Special City will also change 180 degrees depending on whom citizens choose as their leader.
Kim emphasized that, as someone who knows the inner workings of Jeonnam and Gwangju well and requires no additional preparation, he is the right person to serve as mayor of the Special City.
He unveiled a platform centered on four regions — the \"3+1 axis\": the Gwangju area and the western, eastern and southern regions.
Under his plan, the Gwangju area would focus on autonomous driving, AI demonstration projects, and semiconductor packaging; the eastern region on robotics, aerospace, hydrogen, and high-value semiconductors; the western region on energy, AI data centers, aircraft maintenance, and semiconductor fabs; and the southern region on establishing core hubs for K-food and green biotechnology to drive growth.
Kim also pledged to relocate and attract major public institutions — including the National Federation of Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperatives, Korea District Heating Corporation, and the Korea Racing Authority — to expand the industrial base and revitalize the local economy.
He said that after much deliberation he proposed, designed and ultimately implemented the integration, and vowed to devote everything he has left to completing the Jeonnam–Gwangju Special City. He added that he would be the integrated special mayor the president wants, a leader capable of competing with Seoul's mayor, and an innovative administrator who knows the way forward.
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Song Hyeong-il (nicepen@yna.co.kr)
