Mayor Gwanyeol Park: "Ending Gwangju's Sacrifice, Building an AI and Semiconductor Future City"

[Interview with the 9th Elected Local Government Head] Gwanyeol Park, Mayor of Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province
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'Communication-Driven Administration' Awakens Gwangju's Future—Full Marks from Citizens

"I do not wish to be a mayor preparing for the next election, but rather a mayor preparing for the next generation. I will change the future of Gwangju through actions rather than words, and through outcomes rather than displays."

Gwan-Yeol Park, Mayor of Gwangju, stated in an interview with The Asia Business Daily, "We will make communication with citizens the starting point of administration and transform Gwangju, long bound by regulations, into a future high-tech city centered on AI and semiconductors." Photo by Jonggu Lee

On the first month of his term, Gwanyeol Park, mayor of Gwangju, shared his philosophy for the 9th popularly elected city administration in an interview with The Asia Business Daily. He presented a blueprint for setting communication with citizens as the starting point for administration and transforming Gwangju, which has long been bound by regulations, into a future-oriented advanced city centered on AI and semiconductors.

Mayor Park's day begins at 5:30 a.m. meeting with citizens. It has become routine for him to walk around Gyeongan Stream, parks, and park golf courses to listen to their stories. His philosophy of communication is fully reflected in his office as well. Next to his desk is a monitor that displays the faces and names of executives and team leaders. This 'communication map' is designed to help him remember each of the approximately 1,700 public officials. It embodies his belief that "people open their hearts to those who call them by name."

Mayor Park stated, "The answer to administration is always found in the field," adding, "Our goal for the 9th city administration is to make citizens' voices the starting point of policy and to create changes that citizens can truly feel."

He emphasized 'communication, performance, and practicality' as the core values of his administration, vowing to strengthen direct field governance through initiatives such as the Direct Communication Mayor’s Office and the Mobile Mayor’s Office to facilitate direct communication with citizens. His plan is to drive changes in citizens' lives through lifestyle-oriented policies that encompass transportation, welfare, and industry.

He also made his stance clear on the water pipeline issue at the Yongin National Semiconductor Industrial Complex. Mayor Park said, "While I fully recognize the importance of the national semiconductor industry, it is unacceptable to demand sacrifices from only Gwangju simply because it is a national project." He continued, "For decades, Gwangju has endured numerous overlapping regulations to protect the metropolitan area's water source. Now it is time for the nation to invest in Gwangju's future as well." Below is a Q&A with Mayor Park.

Gwangju Mayor Kwan-Yeol Park (center) is taking a commemorative photo with attendees at the National Assembly debate held on July 13 to urge the promotion of the Central Region Express Train (JTX). Photo provided by the Gwangju City.

-It has been a month since your inauguration. What sense of responsibility do you feel most strongly, and what is your direction for running the 9th city administration?

"The position of Gwangju Mayor comes with the responsibility for the lives of 420,000 citizens. Above all else, I believe the greatest duty is to improve the lives of our citizens in any way possible. Administration begins by listening to the voices of citizens. That is why I will always visit the field first and seek answers closest to the people. For Gwangju’s 9th city administration, our core values are 'communication, performance, and practicality,' and we will pursue five major goals: a directly connected city, a happy city, a convergent city, a transportation city, and a city where work and life harmonize. In particular, through the Direct Communication Mayor’s Office and the Mobile Mayor’s Office, I will listen to citizens' opinions directly and implement policies that bring noticeable change to daily life, such as building a welfare navigation system, expanding public late-night pharmacies, and establishing a comprehensive care system. I will devote all my energy to finding answers together with citizens and transforming Gwangju into a future-oriented advanced city in a manner that citizens can truly experience."

-What is Gwangju City’s stance on the water pipeline issue for the Yongin National Semiconductor Industrial Complex?

"I understand the importance of the national semiconductor industry better than anyone. I also agree that the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster is a key industry that will lead the future of South Korea. However, it is unacceptable to demand unilateral sacrifices from Gwangju simply because it is a national strategic project. Although the pipeline passes through Gwangju, the actual benefits for the city are negligible. For decades, Gwangju has endured multiple overlapping regulations to preserve the metropolitan area's water supply for 26 million citizens, giving up opportunities for development and industry. Now it is the nation’s turn to repay Gwangju for its future. We have already presented concrete win-win measures to the government, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Environment, and Gyeonggi Province, including the proposal to create an AI smart city and to attract advanced industries and data centers. The permanent consultative body currently under discussion must not merely be a formal organization, but a body that genuinely addresses Gwangju’s demands. Gwangju does not oppose national projects—we are demanding a fair, win-win structure where the city can grow alongside the nation."

Gwan-Yeol Park, Mayor of Gwangju. Photo by Gwangju City

-What are your future response plans toward the government and Gyeonggi Province?

"Gwangju has endured six major overlapping regulations for decades, including being designated as a nature conservation area, a special countermeasure region, and a water source protection zone, earning it the nickname 'regulation belt,' all to protect the metropolitan area's water source. Despite these sacrifices, we have been excluded from the benefits of national projects. Meanwhile, cities like Yongin, Icheon, Pyeongtaek, and Hwaseong, which have attracted the semiconductor industry, have secured massive tax revenue and job opportunities, thereby strengthening their competitiveness. Gwangju, on the other hand, has shouldered water pipeline and environmental burdens for the sake of national industries, with little to show in return. This structure is fundamentally unjust. Until the government comes up with meaningful win-win solutions, we will use every means available to make Gwangju's voice heard. If necessary, we will form an emergency task force and visit relevant ministries in person. Our goal is not to oppose national projects, but to change the structure that places the burden on specific regions and demand Gwangju’s rightful interests."

-What win-win measures are you demanding from the government, and what role do you expect from a permanent consultative body?

"The Gwangju City Government is not seeking simple compensation but is demanding a future national project where the city can grow together with the national semiconductor industry. We have formally proposed to the government, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Environment, and Gyeonggi Province the development of an AI smart city with 30,000 households, the strengthening of AI and semiconductor R&D and professional training functions, and investments in data centers and the smart water industry. Now, it is time for the nation to invest in Gwangju’s future. The permanent consultative body currently being discussed among the central government, Gyeonggi Province, Gwangju City, Yongin City, and corporations should not simply coordinate the water pipeline issue, but should become a forum for jointly deliberating Gwangju’s future development strategy. The participation of companies such as SK hynix and Samsung Electronics is important, but even more important is the commitment the nation makes to invest and support Gwangju’s future. I intend to build a new win-win model where the nation, businesses, and Gwangju all develop together."

-What is Gwangju’s future growth strategy and vision?

"From now on, Gwangju must be reborn not as a regulated city, but as a city of opportunity. Leveraging its geographical strengths, connecting Seongnam/Pangyo, Yongin, and Hanam, we will foster AI, semiconductors, and high-tech industry as new growth engines. By developing industry, transportation, and residential environments in tandem, we aim to become a self-sustaining city of 500,000 people and the premier AI and semiconductor innovation hub in the southeastern metropolitan area."

Mayor Kwan-Yeol Park of Gwangju is holding a meeting titled 'Gwangju Directly Connected with Citizens.' Photo by Gwangju City

-Is there anything you would like to share with citizens?

"The first change that citizens will feel is innovation in transportation. Through commuter shuttle trains on the Gyeonggang Line, Gwangju-style night buses, and the expansion of rail and road networks, we will improve citizens’ quality of life. Over the four years of the ninth city administration, we will implement these plans in stages: the first year will begin by making citizens' voices the starting point of policy; the second year, by expanding the foundations of transportation and industry; in the third year, we will create tangible changes in welfare, educational, and cultural sectors; and, in the final year, we will return these achievements to the citizens. I want to be a mayor who prepares not for the next election, but for the next generation. I will, together with the citizens, make Gwangju a future-oriented advanced city that represents South Korea—a happy city where everyone wants to live."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.