"Seeking Solutions for Citizens and the Local Economy"... Heated Discussions at the Gwangyang Transformation Empathy Talk

Exchanging Policy Ideas and Economic Issues
in Everyday Life: Local Businesses, Small Merchants, Start-ups, Tourism, and Jobs

Gwangyang City, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, announced on September 9 that on the 8th, it held the 2nd 'Gwangyang Transformation! Empathy Talk' in the small conference room on the 2nd floor of the Gwangyang Seafood Distribution Center, where 24 citizens gathered to jointly discuss measures to revitalize the local economy under the theme "What is needed for money to circulate in Gwangyang and for citizens’ livelihoods to improve?"

This Empathy Talk focused on the theme of "Economic Transformation," one of the five major transformation strategies of the 9th term of civil administration. Citizens shared a meal with the mayor and freely exchanged ideas about economic issues and policy suggestions they experience in everyday life, such as local businesses and small merchants, start-ups, tourism, and jobs.

On the 8th, the 2nd "Gwangyang Transition! Empathy Talk" was held in the small conference room on the 2nd floor of the Gwangyang Seafood Distribution Center, where 24 citizens gathered to jointly explore ways to revitalize the local economy under the theme "What is needed for money to circulate in Gwangyang and improve the livelihood of citizens?" Provided by Gwangyang City

In particular, the majority opinion emphasized the need to establish a virtuous cycle in which the economic value created in Gwangyang is reconsumed within the region and leads to increased incomes for citizens.

Regarding the revitalization of local businesses and traditional markets, there were suggestions to expand opportunities for local companies to participate in construction and service work, and to increase the use of Gwangyang Love Gift Certificates and other local currencies so that they result in real consumption in traditional markets and local commercial districts.

In the start-up sector, it was suggested that a support system be established to take citizens with good ideas from entrepreneurship education all the way through to commercialization, securing sales channels, and promotion, so that they can actually start businesses and grow into local companies. Voices were also raised calling for expanding new economic opportunities for groups such as women who have experienced career interruptions and young people.

Connecting tourism to local consumption was another major topic. Citizens suggested strengthening links so that visitors to the Jeonnam Museum of Art can also use nearby restaurants, cafes, and shops, and that food, culture and arts, and busking should be combined into a single tourism route to encourage tourists to stay and spend money in Gwangyang. There were also suggestions to connect sports resources—such as winter training camps and youth sports competitions—with local accommodations and restaurants.

Park Sunghyun, Mayor of Gwangyang, said, "I would like to thank all the citizens for sharing valuable opinions and ideas," and added, "To make Gwangyang the number one economic city in the Honam region, not only administrative efforts but also the participation and interest of citizens are essential."

He continued, "Among the suggestions made today, any matters that require direct inspection at the field will be checked on-site, while ongoing projects or new proposals will be reviewed together with budgetary conditions and systems."

Gwangyang City plans to deliver the policy proposals and suggestions made on the day to the relevant departments for review, and will provide feedback to the proposers once review is complete. In addition, the status of proposals will be made public on the 'Open Mayor's Office' page of the Gwangyang City Hall website so that citizens can check the status of progress, and for suggestions that require longer-term consideration, interim updates will be provided and the management will be ongoing.

Meanwhile, the 'Gwangyang Transformation Empathy Talk' is a citizen participation communication program in which citizens and the mayor share lunch and freely exchange everyday policy ideas and opinions on city administration. It is held once a month, with topics selected that are closely related to citizens’ daily lives.

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