Expanding Exchange Networks with Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan
"Strengthening Community Integration through Solidarity with the Local Koryoin Community"
Pyeongtaek City in Gyeonggi Province has begun working to broaden exchanges with major cities in the Central Asia region. This strategy aims to expand economic and cultural interactions and promote community integration, taking into account the local characteristic of having a large population of Koryoin (ethnic Koreans from the former Soviet Union).
On August 20, Pyeongtaek City announced that its delegation will officially visit Osh, Kyrgyz Republic on the 25th and Almaty Province, Kazakhstan on the 28th to discuss cooperation measures for friendly exchanges with local officials.
Pyeongtaek City has begun promoting the expansion of friendly exchanges with major cities in the Central Asia region. In 2023, a delegation from Syrdarya Province, Uzbekistan, which visited Pyeongtaek City, took a commemorative photo with Mayor Jung Jangsun of Pyeongtaek (fifth from the left) after signing a friendship exchange agreement. Provided by Pyeongtaek City
This visit represents an initial stage of expressing mutual intent for cooperation with major cities. The city plans to follow up by signing formal friendship exchange agreements in the future.
The city expects that expanding exchanges with Central Asian countries will yield diverse and practical results. A prime example is the friendship exchange established in August 2023 between Pyeongtaek and Syrdarya Province, Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is seen as an ideal partner for human and industrial exchanges due to its young workforce and strong manufacturing base.
Kazakhstan, which is also being considered for friendly exchange, is viewed as having high potential for cooperation with the Pyeongtaek regional economy thanks to its abundant energy and mineral resources. With the Kyrgyz Republic, often called the "Switzerland of Asia," the city anticipates collaboration in the tourism sector.
The local characteristic of having many Koryoin and Central Asian residents is another reason for pursuing expanded exchanges. The city expects that these exchanges will provide opportunities for Koryoin and others to share their history and traditions with the local community, strengthen identity and sense of belonging across generations, and help Pyeongtaek evolve into a healthy multicultural city.
To this end, during the visit, the city plans to meet with groups such as the 'Descendants of Independence Patriots Association' and the 'Koryoin National Central Association' to offer comfort and support to the Koryoin community, which has been hurt by the recent controversy surrounding General Hong Beomdo. Starting from the 26th of next month, the Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation will also host a "Koryoin Culture Week" event.
Mayor Jung Jangsun of Pyeongtaek stated, "Central Asia is a region attracting global attention, including from the European Union (EU) and China. By expanding exchanges, we will enhance our status as an international city and create new opportunities in the economic, industrial, and cultural sectors."
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