Yongin City Signs Sisterhood Agreement with Andong City

12th Sister City Partnership: Cooperation in Administration, Economy, Culture, and Tourism
Lee Sangil: "Carrying on Spiritual Culture and Leading Future Industries Together"

Andong City in North Gyeongsang Province has become the 12th sister city of Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province.

Lee Sangil, mayor of Yongin, who visited Andong City, Gyeongbuk for a sisterhood tie, is receiving a bouquet from Mayor Kwon Kichang. Provided by Yongin City

On July 23, Yongin City announced that it had established a sisterhood relationship with Andong City at Andong City Hall and pledged to promote exchange and cooperation for mutual development between the two cities. The signing ceremony was attended by Lee Sangil, mayor of Yongin, Kwon Kichang, mayor of Andong, as well as about 30 city officials and representatives of private organizations from both cities.

The two cities have agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including administration, economy, culture, and tourism, through the sisterhood agreement. Under the agreement, the cities plan to promote a range of exchanges, including ▲exchange of local specialty products and support for direct market sales ▲promotion and participation of cultural and arts organizations and festivals ▲providing discounts on admission to tourist attractions ▲sharing outstanding policies in administration, welfare, and economic sectors.

In particular, citizens of both cities will be able to visit major tourist attractions in the other city at discounted rates. Yongin residents will receive discounts on admission to Hahoe Village and Dosanseowon, which are representative tourist sites in Andong, while Andong residents will receive discounts on admission to Yongin Natural Recreation Forest and the Rural Theme Park.

Yongin City also plans to support Andong-based companies in expanding overseas by utilizing its unique "Citizen Translation and Interpretation Supporters" program.

Mayor Kwon Kichang stated, "I hope that the dynamism of Yongin and the reflection and contemplation of Andong will come together so that we can grow into cities that represent Korea," adding, "I hope both cities will cherish their traditions, learn from each other, and cooperate closely."

Mayor Lee Sangil also said, "I was encouraged to see the citizens of Andong, who suffered greatly from the wildfire in March, overcome the hardship with unity," and added, "Let us ensure that Andong and Yongin carry on Korea's spiritual culture and lead future industries together."

At the signing ceremony, private organizations from Yongin also delivered 113 million won in donations raised to support the recovery from wildfire damage in Andong.

With this agreement, Yongin City now has 12 domestic sister cities. Starting with Jindo County in 2006, the city has formed sisterhood ties with Yeongcheon City, Jeju City, Wando County, Sacheon City, Goseong County, Hampyeong County, Sokcho City, Danyang County, Jeonju City, and Gwangyang City. The city also plans to sign a sisterhood agreement with Goesan County in North Chungcheong Province on July 24.