Goyang City Strengthens 'Citizen-Oriented' Regional Revitalization and Youth Exchange with Hakodate, Japan

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang, Visits Sister City Hakodate
"Exploring Global Regional Revitalization Models"
Visits to G Square and Machizukuri Center to Observe Citizen Exchange Models
Meeting Held with Hakodate Branch of the Korean Residents Union in Japan

On January 12, Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) visited key community facilities and Korean-Japanese organizations in its sister city, Hakodate, Japan, engaging in policy dialogue to promote youth exchange and regional revitalization.

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City (right), visited Hakodate Community Plaza G Square on the 12th and had a conversation with Keigo Okamoto, the center director. Provided by Goyang Special City

The city delegation first visited "Hakodate Community Plaza G Square," located in the city center, to review the current status of hands-on projects operated for youth and citizens.

G Square is designed as a public community space open to everyone. The delegation discussed specific directions for future exchanges so that young people from both cities can enhance mutual understanding and pursue collaborative programs there.

Next, a luncheon meeting was held with key Hakodate city council members, including Akemi Araki and Sachiko Saito. During this meeting, both sides exchanged opinions on ways to expand exchanges between Goyang and Hakodate.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the "Hakodate Machizukuri Center" to closely examine its role as a platform where residents and civic groups take the lead in addressing local issues and operating projects.

The Machizukuri Center is located in the western part of the old city center and serves as an exchange hub where various groups, such as merchant associations and youth groups, come together. The delegation explored ways to incorporate resident-participatory regional revitalization cases into Goyang City's policies.

Goyang City delegation meeting with officials from Hakodate Machizukuri Center. Provided by Goyang Special City

Additionally, the delegation held a meeting with the Hakodate branch of the Korean Residents Union in Japan. Both sides agreed on the need for sustainable communication focused on youth and cultural fields, and discussed ways to expand private exchanges between Korea and Japan through cooperation with the Korean-Japanese community.

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, stated, "Hakodate's citizen-centered community facilities and regional revitalization platforms align with Goyang's goal of participatory administration. Based on a variety of private sector collaborations, including the Korean-Japanese network, we will promote practical exchange projects."

Meanwhile, during the visit, the city delegation also toured "Goryokaku," examining how this historic fortress has been utilized as a public space and tourism resource, and reviewed strategies to vitalize urban tourism.