Kang Myung-su took office Monday as the inaugural industry and economy vice mayor of the South Jeolla-Gwangju integrated special city.
The city held an inauguration ceremony at the Yi Sun-sin Hall of its eastern campus, with about 300 people in attendance, including Mayor Min Hyung-bae, heads of eastern district municipalities, department directors and staff.
The ceremony included an opening, an introduction of Kang's career and his inaugural address, a welcome video message from staff, and closing remarks by Mayor Min.
Kang is a native of Naju and holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in public administration from Seoul National University, as well as a doctorate from the University of Missouri. He entered public service in 1992 through the 35th class of the national civil service exam.
He previously served at the Ministry of Knowledge Economy as head of the exports and imports division, the biotech and nanotechnology division, and the information and communications policy division. At the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, he served as director general for trade cooperation, spokesperson and standing commissioner of the Trade Commission.
In his inaugural address, Kang said he felt "deep emotion at being entrusted with leading the regional economy at the historic starting line of integration," adding that he was keenly aware of "the weighty responsibility to achieve overwhelming growth."
He said the city stood at "an opportunity for a great industrial transformation, where a solid manufacturing base — spanning energy, steel, petrochemicals, aerospace and shipbuilding — converges with advanced infrastructure centered on AI, semiconductors and mobility." He added that he would "pour all the policy experience and expertise accumulated at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and on the ground to make this city leap forward as an industrial hub on the world stage."
Mayor Min said in his remarks that "the eastern region has played a central role in South Korea's industrial growth, anchored by petrochemicals, steel and ports," adding that the city must "layer AI and new technology onto its core industries and nurture emerging sectors such as secondary batteries. Now is the time for the eastern region to again lead the transformation of South Korea's industry."
sij@heraldcorp.com
