Mutual Cooperation Expected in Various Fields
Including Economy, Culture, and Arts Between Korea and the United States
Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province announced that on October 26, an international friendship agreement was signed with the City of Columbus, Georgia, USA, at the Citizens’ Hall on the second floor of Jinju City Hall.
The signing ceremony was attended by Joo Kyu-il, Mayor of Jinju City; Skip Henderson, Mayor of Columbus; Baek Seunghung, Chairman of Jinju City Council; Kim Jonguk, Chairman of Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Foundation; Stuart Rayfield, President of Columbus State University; Missy Kendrick, President of Choose Columbus; and around 30 key figures from both cities, including business leaders.
Columbus is located in Georgia, USA, and is known as a hub of manufacturing in the southeastern United States, where pro-business policies have led to active new corporate investment and the establishment of many Korean manufacturing plants.
This friendship agreement between Jinju and Columbus is the result of a consensus to promote goodwill and expand exchanges between the two cities, which was formed following the signing of a business agreement during the visit of a Columbus State University delegation in June.
The main points of the agreement include: establishing close friendly relations; promoting exchange activities in areas of mutual interest; and creating a favorable environment through knowledge and information sharing. These efforts aim to strengthen the close relationship and support between the two cities.
With the establishment of this sister city relationship, both cities plan to expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as economy, culture, arts, sports, and human resources.
Mayor Joo Kyu-il welcomed the Columbus delegation, stating, "Jinju’s K-Entrepreneurship and the servant leadership of Columbus, Georgia, share the common value of putting people and community at the center, growing together as cities. Today’s international friendship agreement marks a meaningful starting point for our two cities to become true partners in a variety of fields, including economy, culture, and education."
Mayor Skip Henderson said, "Just as Jinju has the Namgang River, Columbus has the Chattahoochee River running through its downtown, which has been central to our development. I have been very interested in Jinju’s outstanding cultural and artistic resources, as well as its core industries such as aerospace and bioindustry, which are very similar to those of Columbus. I hope that through ongoing exchanges and cooperation, our two cities can build a progressive partnership for continuous economic growth and future development."
Kim Jonguk, Chairman of the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Foundation, said, "Jinju and Columbus have many similarities in terms of city characteristics and economic aspects. I hope this agreement will lead to active exchanges between companies in both cities. The Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Foundation will actively support Jinju companies seeking to enter the Columbus market."
Meanwhile, the delegation from Columbus, Georgia, led by Mayor Skip Henderson, will participate in the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship International Forum on October 27 and 28, following the friendship agreement on October 26, and is scheduled to depart on October 29.
On October 27, the Columbus City session of the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship International Forum will be held, where discussions will focus on servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic cooperation between Korea and the United States.
Speakers will include Skip Henderson, Mayor of Columbus; Stuart Rayfield, President of Columbus State University; David Lewis, Superintendent of Muscogee County; Missy Kendrick, President of Choose Columbus; and Oh Youngjin, CEO of The Korea Times.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
