Changwon Hosts Regular Meeting of the Gaya Cultural Area Regional Development Mayors and County Governors Council

Changwon Special City, 24 Local Governments Attend to Strengthen Regional Exchange and Establish Gaya Cultural Identity

On the 8th, Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam held the 30th Regular Meeting of the Mayors and County Governors Council for the Development of the Gaya Cultural Area at the Changwon Convention Center.

Regular Meeting of the Mayors and County Governors Association for Regional Development in the Gaya Cultural Area Held.

The Mayors and County Governors Council for the Development of the Gaya Cultural Area is a consultative body composed of mayors and county governors from the Gaya cultural region. It is a group in which 24 cities and counties from five metropolitan areas?Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam?participate together. Launched in February 2005, its purpose is to seek joint development plans through Gaya culture, strengthen the capabilities of Gaya's historical culture, and promote joint development in the Yeongho-Nam region by utilizing local resources.

The meeting was attended by 100 people, including Changwon Special City Mayor Hong Nam-pyo, Haman County Governor Cho Geun-je, and the heads of 24 organizations as well as local government officials. Geochang County was selected as the host for the regular meeting in the first half of 2025, and the council confirmed the implementation of Gaya cultural area-related projects by its member cities and counties.

In addition, the operation of the traveling Gaya Cultural Heritage Education Program and the election of the 10th council chairperson were also carried out. Through these initiatives, it is expected that inter-regional exchange and cooperation will be strengthened and the identity of Gaya culture will be established.

In his welcoming speech, Mayor Hong stated, "Regarding Gaya history, an exploratory excavation of the representative Changwon site, the 'Changwon Dahori Tombs,' is currently underway. During the construction of the Seokdong Tunnel, the largest tomb cluster in Korea, the 'Changwon Seokdong Relics,' was discovered, and an exhibition hall is about to open. We will continue to accumulate the results of investigations into Gaya relics in the Changwon area to establish the region's historical identity and share it with citizens."

He added, "Going forward, I hope that by communicating and empathizing with one another, we will work together to resolve current issues, and that the Mayors and County Governors Council for the Development of the Gaya Cultural Area will further develop through exchanges at rotational meetings."