Kim Hyun-gi, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Strengthens Exchange and Cooperation with Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey

Seoul Metropolitan Council Delegation Visits Turkey from May 20-28 upon Official Invitation from Ankara City
Visits Ankara City Hall, Discusses Expansion of Exchange and Cooperation with Ankara Mayor (Chairman)
Wreath-Laying at Korean War Memorial Tower, Visits Istanbul City Hall, Turkey's Largest City, and Discusses Signing of Friendship Agreement

Kim Hyun-gi, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, will visit Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and Istanbul, its largest city, to discuss ways to strengthen intercity exchange and cooperation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council announced that it will visit Ankara and Istanbul from May 20 to 28 for a 7-night, 9-day trip.

This visit was made upon the official invitation of Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. The Seoul Metropolitan Council has maintained continuous exchanges since signing a friendship and goodwill agreement with Ankara in 1997.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council delegation plans to meet with Mansur Yava?, the mayor of Ankara who was re-elected in the March local elections in Turkey, to discuss ways to expand exchange and cooperation between the two city councils.

Notably, 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of the friendship agreement between the two cities. The Seoul Metropolitan Council stated that through this visit, it plans to revitalize mutual visits between council delegations that were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairman Kim Hyun-gi said, “Ankara Park was created in Yeouido to commemorate the sister city relationship between the two cities, and there are folk art pieces donated by Ankara City, allowing citizens to naturally experience Ankara’s culture,” adding, “I hope the two capitals will continue to have active exchanges in various fields such as policy and culture.”

Following this, the council delegation will pay respects at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Ankara Korean Park to honor the Turkish soldiers who died during the Korean War and to strengthen friendship between the two countries.

Chairman Kim said, “Since taking office, I have visited numerous cities to learn about Seoul’s excellent policies,” and added, “The reason South Korea and Seoul were able to overcome crises and stand tall in the world was thanks to Turkey’s help, and I will never forget Turkey’s noble sacrifice to protect Korea’s freedom and peace.”

Turkey was one of the four major countries that dispatched troops during the Korean War, sending approximately 21,000 soldiers despite diplomatic relations not yet being established at the time.

The delegation also plans to visit Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, to discuss exchange and cooperation plans with the Istanbul City Council. Chairman Kim Hyun-gi is determined to strengthen friendly cooperation with Turkish cities through this visit and to carry out legislative activities that benefit Seoul.

Chairman Kim said, “We plan to actively pursue follow-up projects with cities we have long cooperated with to secure urban competitiveness,” and added, “We will continue to diversify the regions and fields of exchange with overseas city councils.”