Yongin City's First ODA Project: Completion of the "Da Nang Yongin Public Digital Library"

Yongin Community Joins the Effort: Donations of Funds, Books, and Equipment
Mayor Lee Sang-il: "We Will Continue to Support and Show Interest in Library Operations"

The city of Yongin in Gyeonggi Province has successfully completed its first Official Development Assistance (ODA) project: the construction of a library in Da Nang, Vietnam.

On January 13, Mayor Lee Sang-il and a delegation from Yongin City held the completion ceremony for the "Yongin Public Digital Library in Kwangfu District, Da Nang City" at the International Lotus Village Welfare Town in Kwangfu District, Da Nang. The ceremony was attended by more than 140 people, including the city delegation, Nguyen Thi An Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang City People's Committee, Huynh Ngoc Ba, Chairman of the Kwangfu District People's Committee, Cho Dang-ho, President of the International Lotus Village, representatives from the Consulate General in Da Nang, as well as local residents and students.

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin (third from left), and the Yongin City delegation are taking a commemorative photo in front of the plaque of the 'Yongin Public Digital Library in Da Nang City's Kwangfu District International Lotus Village' completed in Kwangfu District, Da Nang City, Vietnam. This library is Yongin City's first Official Development Assistance (ODA) project. Provided by Yongin City

This library is the first ODA project initiated by Yongin City to improve educational and welfare environments in developing countries. The library was built on the grounds of the International Lotus Village, with a total floor area of 1,686 square meters. It features digital learning spaces, reading rooms, and a Yongin City promotional center.

In 2024, the city secured approval from the International Development Cooperation Committee under the Office of the Prime Minister and provided a construction budget of 200 million won. The library will be operated by the International Lotus Village for the next two years before being handed over to Kwangfu District, Da Nang City.

During the ceremony, Mayor Lee presented plaques of appreciation to Cho Dang-ho, President of the International Lotus Village, Lee Ki-chan, Director General of the International Lotus Village, and Nguyen Hieu, Deputy Head of the Kwangfu District People's Committee in Da Nang City.

Mayor Lee stated, "I would like to thank the officials from Kwangfu District and the International Lotus Village for their efforts in completing the library," adding, "We will continue to provide ongoing interest and support to ensure the stable operation of the library."

The Yongin local community also contributed to the library's construction. The Idong-eup Business Association, Yongin International Lions Club, and Yongin Volunteer Center provided sponsorship funds and donated tablet PCs and equipment, while citizens donated a total of 5,140 books.

Meanwhile, the International Lotus Village Welfare Town, where the library is located, is a Korean-style welfare village established locally by the International Lotus Village in 2015. The site is equipped with educational and welfare facilities such as a vocational training center for talent development, a Korean language school, a daycare center, and a nursing home for the elderly.

The previous day, Mayor Lee visited the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Da Nang, where he held a meeting with Senior Consul Oh Jung-taek and Jo Joo-yeon, Director of the Da Nang KOTRA Trade Center, to discuss ways to expand exchange and cooperation with Da Nang City.