President Park Geun-hye has said that she will help Gwangju develop into a portal to the automobile industry in order to make the city a leader in the so-called “hydrogen economy.” She also said that the whole range of businesses across whole industries -- from traditional markets and small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) through to traders and local residents -- would benefit from her vision to develop the creative industries.

President Park was speaking on January 27 at a ceremony to mark the opening of the Gwangju Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (CCEI). “Gwangju is where the oldest wheels in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula have been found. The automobile industry is a leading industry in Gwangju, which accounts for 40 percent of the total added value of the city,” she said.

“The auto industry is considered an industry that is more than simply part of the machinery industry. It is a new spearhead in the creative industries, as it encompasses IT, design and environmentally friendly energy,” said the president.

“The Gwangju CCEI will become the main foothold to facilitate the development of the city, backed by the abundant infrastructure in the city. It has auto research institutes, automobile parts suppliers, factories that assemble complete vehicles and the expertise and knowhow of Hyundai Motor Company, a global company,” she added.

“Environmentally friendly cars will be the main part of the automobile industry in the future. Hydrogen-powered cars, in particular, will represent such eco-friendly vehicles and will lead the industry in the future. The Gwangju CCEI will play the role of catalyst so that the city can become the leader of the ‘hydrogen economy.'”




President Park added that her administration will help the Gwangju CCEI play a central role so that her vision for the creative industries can permeate SMEs, self-employed people, market traders and local residents.

“The Gwangju CCEI will help revitalize traditional markets by introducing new concepts of design to boost the characteristics of the market. It will support online and mobile marketing and help to develop marketing strategies by connecting local galleries, theaters and the arts, such as folk performances. I will do my best to spread my vision for the creative industries by extending the range of customized creative industries to traditional markets, SMEs and to local residents,” said the president.

After visiting the Gwangju CCEI, President Park headed to Daein Market in Gwangju to meet local shop owners. At the market, she visited a jewelry shop, a rice cake shop and a café, all of which successfully started their business with new ideas. While meeting the owners of the shops, President Park wished them success in their business, as they all began their shops with great ideas. She also met children and posed for photos while at the market. The president visited an art gallery where works of local artists are displayed. At the gallery, she delivered words of encouragement to representatives of artists and business associations.




ByYoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
arete@korea.kr