Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam Marks 100 Days in Office, Taking on the Population Crisis Through Culture, Industry and Care

【Financial News | Gangneung—Reporter Kim Gi-seop】Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam unveiled a blueprint for city governance aimed at keeping the population above 200,000. The plan includes providing 10 million won over seven years to every newborn, regardless of birth order, beginning in 2028.
According to Gangneung on the sixth, Mayor Kim held a press conference at 10 a.m. that day in the conference room on the 15th floor of City Hall to mark 100 days since the launch of the ninth popularly elected administration. Under the vision “A Future We Change Together, a Gangneung Where Everyone Is Happy,” he presented plans in five key areas: culture, industry, tourism, education and welfare. The 86 pledge projects were finalized after review by a citizen evaluation panel formed through open recruitment and random selection.
Mayor Kim first addressed the crises facing Gangneung. The city’s population fell from 212,099 in 2022 to 205,593 in August this year, a decrease of 6,506. Over the same period, the share of young people dropped from 31.3% to 28.5%. Although 35 million tourists visited last year, the vacancy rate for small retail stores stood at 9.8%, above the Gangwon average of 7.8%.
As part of an organizational overhaul in November, the city will establish a department dedicated to integrated care and reopen the youth center that closed in 2024. In the industrial sector, it is preparing to begin construction this year on the 80-megawatt Gangdong AI Data Center. Starting that day, it also began issuing sales notices for the Jumunjin Agro-Industrial Complex and rental notices for the public rental-type knowledge industry center. The Natural Products Bio National Industrial Complex is targeting a groundbreaking in 2030. Small business owners will receive special-guarantee support totaling 50 billion won, with up to 50 million won available per business.
In culture and tourism, the city will create a culture and arts cluster by bringing together institutions including the National Gugak Center Gangneung Branch, scheduled to open in 2028, as well as a National Folk Museum branch and a National Library of Korea branch. The Garden City Development Project, selected in September for a 10 billion-won national funding program, will focus on the northern area, including Jumunjin Hyangho. In education, the city will begin providing customized college-admissions consulting for students at eight general high schools in Gangneung starting in November and will consult with the education office on establishing an AI-specialized science high school.
During the past 100 days, Deureumteo, a citizen communication space, received 165 submissions. Of the 294 suggestions made at town hall meetings in 21 eup, myeon and dong areas, 249 will be pursued with budget allocations. The city aims to distribute its livelihood stabilization payment in November, providing 100,000 won per person through Gangneung Pay. Mayor Kim also asked the media to pay attention to the 2026 Gangneung ITS (intelligent transportation systems) World Congress, which is two weeks away, and the Gangneung Coffee Festival.
Mayor Kim said, "The hundreds of voices we heard through Deureumteo and town hall meetings will serve as the starting point for city administration over the next four years. Following the teaching of 'Deunggo-jabi, haengwon-jayi'—to climb high, start from a low place, and to travel far, start from nearby—we will build change step by step, beginning with areas closest to residents’ daily lives, such as support for newborns, care and jobs for young people."

[email protected] Kim Gi-seop Reporter