Yongin and Gwangyang Become Sister Cities

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin, "Cooperation for Joint Development in Industry and Culture"
Jung In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang, "National Development Through Cooperation Between Two Cities"

Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province and Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do established a sister city relationship on the 14th.

At the sister city agreement ceremony between Yongin City and Gwangyang City held on the 14th in the main conference room of Gwangyang City Hall, Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin (left), and Jeong In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang, are holding up the agreement document.
[Photo by Yongin City]

On the same day, Yongin City announced that a sister city agreement ceremony between the two cities was held at the Gwangyang City Hall's main conference room, attended by Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin, Jeong In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang, Yoon Won-gun, Chairman of Yongin City Council, and Baek Seong-ho, Vice Chairman of Gwangyang City Council.

Mayor Lee said, "Gwangyang is the core of South Korea's steel industry, a city of culture and arts, and rich in tourism resources," adding, "I hope that the signing of the sister city agreement will expand exchanges and cooperation between the two cities and serve as an opportunity for mutual growth in various fields such as culture and industry." He also added, "I hope that Gwangyang, which has greatly contributed to South Korea's economic development with the establishment of the national industrial complex long ago, will provide much wisdom."

Mayor Jeong responded, "We will actively cooperate so that the collaboration between Gwangyang and Yongin can lead to the development of South Korea."

The sister city relationship between the two cities was realized after Yongin sent a letter of intent for sisterhood in response to Gwangyang City's proposal in April last year.

Going forward, the two cities will join forces in areas such as administration, economy, culture, and tourism, and will actively support emergency relief activities in case of disasters or emergencies. Additionally, they will promote resident autonomy, share excellent policies, and create opportunities for selling local specialties from each region.

Cooperation for businesses will also be established. Yongin City's unique project, the 'Citizen Interpretation and Translation Supporters,' will assist Gwangyang-based companies participating in overseas exhibitions or in need of help, sharing human resources and unique projects.

Cooperation will also extend to local cultural and artistic events. In particular, citizens of both cities visiting festivals and exhibitions held in each region will receive benefits such as discounted admission fees.

Meanwhile, with this agreement, the number of domestic sister cities of Yongin City has increased to a total of 11. Since 2006, starting with Jindo County, the city has established sister city relationships with Yeongcheon City, Jeju City, Wando County, Sacheon City, Goseong County, Hampyeong County, Sokcho City, Danyang County, and Jeonju City.