"15 Government Officials from China, Mongolia, and Russia Attend Training at Yeungnam University to Learn Saemaul Movement"

Government officials from local governments in three countries?China, Mongolia, and Russia?visited Yeungnam University (President Choi Oechul), which has systematized and academicized Saemaul Studies, to learn about the Saemaul Undong movement.

From June 26 to July 5, they participated in the "2024 NEAR Member Organization Officials Training Program" at Yeungnam University, a 9-night, 10-day schedule. This program was organized in response to a request for Saemaul Undong education and training programs to address various issues in Northeast Asia, following a mutual business agreement signed in January between Yeungnam University and the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR).

Senior local government officials from Mongolia, China, and Russia visiting Yeungnam University to learn about Saemaul are taking a commemorative photo.

Fifteen NEAR member organization officials participated in this training (3 from China, 9 from Mongolia, and 3 from Russia). NEAR, established in September 1996, is a cooperative organization among local governments in Northeast Asia, with 81 metropolitan governments from six countries, including Mongolia and China, currently registered as official members. The participants in this training were high-ranking officials from metropolitan governments in their respective countries.

The training program focused on sharing Korea's national development experience and vision while strengthening the problem-solving capabilities of the participating officials. Starting with a special lecture by Yeungnam University President Choi Oechul on "Sharing Korea's Development Experience (Focusing on Saemaul International Development Cases)," participants attended educational programs on the core spirit of the Saemaul Undong movement, cases of revitalizing local economies through local currencies and public apps, examples of new town design in Korea, and field trips such as the Cheongdo Saemaul Undong Memorial Hall. They also experienced cultural and tourism activities, including visits to traditional markets, tours of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon, and professional baseball games.

Danzan Tsend-Ayush from Mongolia, who visited to participate in this program, said, "I would like to thank Yeungnam University and NEAR officials for preparing such an excellent program. I came to understand how important individual participation and effort are in developing local communities and the nation through the Saemaul Undong movement, and I gained important insights into Korea's development history, strategies, and effective leadership."

Yeungnam University President Choi Oechul said, "I was truly moved by the will and passion of the officials who visited Yeungnam University to learn about the Saemaul Undong movement. It is highly meaningful to hear and experience firsthand at Yeungnam University, which has systematized and academicized Korea's development and the Saemaul Undong movement. I hope the training outcomes in Saemaul Studies will serve as a foundation for local development when the officials return to their countries. I also expect that, starting with this training, cooperation and exchanges with the Northeast Asian region will become even more active."