Pohang Strengthens Its Status as a Northeast Asian Local Diplomacy Hub City by Attending NEAR General Assembly

Attending the General Assembly as a Special Member City...
Enhancing International Standing and Laying the Foundation for Exchange
Kim Byungkwon, Pohang Honorary Advisory Ambassador,
Serves as a Catalyst for Establishing High-Level Diplomatic Channels

Pohang City participated in the 15th Northeast Asian Local Government Union (NEAR) General Assembly, held in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China from June 11 to 13, as a special member city. Through this participation, Pohang enhanced its international standing and established a practical foundation for exchange.

Pohang City attended the 15th Northeast Asian Local Government Union General Assembly held on the 12th in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China, and took a commemorative photo with officials from 31 local governments across 7 countries. Provided by Pohang City

This General Assembly was co-hosted by the NEAR Secretariat and the People's Government of Liaoning Province, with a total of 109 delegates from 31 local governments and related organizations across 7 countries in attendance.

The assembly included subcommittee reports, policy sharing, deliberation on the admission of new members, and friendship city events, and served as a forum for discussing measures to promote exchange and cooperation among local governments in Northeast Asia.

Since being approved as a NEAR special member city in September last year, Pohang has solidified its position on the official diplomatic stage through this assembly, fulfilling its role as a hub city for Northeast Asian local diplomacy.

Notably, Kim Byungkwon, former Minister and Consul General at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China, officially joined the Pohang delegation as an Honorary Advisory Ambassador during this assembly.

Leveraging his extensive diplomatic experience and network in China, Ambassador Kim actively engaged with key officials from major countries and local governments attending the assembly. He also played a professional advisory role by strategically promoting Pohang’s ability to host international events, global cooperation projects, and attract investment.

Ambassador Kim’s participation served as an opportunity to demonstrate externally that Pohang is a mature international city with strong diplomatic capabilities, and it was also an important catalyst for establishing high-level diplomatic channels among local governments.

In addition, Pohang held individual exchange consultations with delegations from the Shandong and Shanxi provincial governments in China, laying the groundwork for practical discussions to expand cooperation in the fields of culture, industry, and tourism in the future.

Yoon Chunsu, Director of the Tourism Industry Division, stated, "Our participation in this assembly went beyond a mere ceremonial presence and became an opportunity to broaden practical cooperation channels with Northeast Asian local governments. As the city hosting the NEAR Secretariat, we will actively leverage this symbolic status and the professional diplomatic capabilities of our Honorary Advisory Ambassador to enhance Pohang’s global brand value and competitiveness in international exchange."

As the city hosting the NEAR Secretariat, Pohang plans to continue promoting international cooperation among Northeast Asian cities, attract international conferences, and expand cooperation in investment and tourism.