Mayor Kang Gijeong Discusses Friendly Cooperation with Japanese Ambassador to Korea

Ambassador Mizushima Visits Gwangju
Discusses Economic, Industrial, and Cultural Exchange

Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju, received a courtesy visit from Koichi Mizushima, Japanese ambassador to Korea, and his delegation at the city hall business room on the 21st, engaged in a conversation, and then took a commemorative photo. Photo by Gwangju City

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, and exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, industry, and culture between Gwangju City and Japan are expected to become more active.

According to Gwangju City on the 22nd, Mayor Kang Gijung met with Koichi Mizushima, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, who visited Gwangju, in the city's business room the previous day to discuss ways to promote economic, industrial, and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Mayor Kang said, "Thank you for visiting Gwangju and the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in the year marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan," and added, "Recently, with author Han Kang winning the Nobel Prize in Literature and the '12.3 Martial Law,' the value of May 18 and Gwangju is being recognized worldwide."

In response, Ambassador Mizushima said, "I express my condolences regarding last year's Jeju Air passenger plane accident. During my visit to the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, I heard many stories about May 18 and felt the strong will of the citizens of Gwangju, to whom I pay my respects."

Mayor Kang said, "Through this tragedy, we received condolences from many overseas cities and realized the importance of exchanges between cities," and added, "Since forming a sisterhood relationship with Sendai City in 2002, we have continued active exchanges, such as participating in the Sendai International Marathon and the Gwangju World Kimchi Festival, making it the most substantial exchange we have."

Ambassador Mizushima said, "Thank you for your efforts so far for intercity relations," and added, "I hope that beyond exchanges between cities, the activation of people-to-people exchanges will further vitalize cooperation between Korea and Japan."

Mayor Kang and Ambassador Mizushima also exchanged opinions on ways to promote exchanges in the fields of culture, arts, and sports.

Ambassador Mizushima said, "I believe that true friendship can be formed through sports exchanges, as seen in the example of the Sendai City International Marathon," and added, "I also view positively the increasing exchanges between the peoples of both countries. I hope that expanding people-to-people exchanges will further strengthen the relationship of trust."