A delegation headed by Lee Yeong-seok, Director of the Gyeongbuk Officials Training Institute, visited the Secretariat on January 31, 2018 (Wed.) and met with NEAR Secretary-General Hong Jong-kyoung to discuss further cooperation between the two organizations. Due to the interest shown by both organizations, discussions were held to explore the possibilities of expanding access to the civil servant training courses available in Gyeonsangbuk-do to include civil servants from the surrounding NEAR member regional governments.