On April 21, Secretary-General LIM Byung-jin invited 11 international relations ambassadors from Korean NEAR member regions (16 cities and provinces) to the Secretariat and held the “Meet the International Relations Ambassadors” under the theme of “Exploring the Development of NEAR and the Active Participation of Korean Local Governments.”  

Mr. Lim said, “For the first time since the Secretariat was established, we have invited international relations ambassadors from Korean NEAR member regions to Pohang, where the Secretariat is located.” He added, “NEAR is a platform for multilateral exchange and cooperation among 79 local governments of six Northeast Asian countries, emphasizing that it is a valuable international public good located in Korea in times of localization, and we will expand NEAR’s role, including promoting international events of each city or province.” In addition, he also said, “Please present good ideas or opinions that NEAR can clearly place itself as a platform for multilateral exchange among Northeast Asian local governments.”

In response, the international relations ambassadors who attended the event said that the meeting gave them a good opportunity to understand NEAR’s role and acitvities in Northeast Asia and also presented various ideas for the development of NEAR under the current political landscape of Northeast Asia, as well as ways to encourage the participation of Korean NEAR member regions.

The meeting was attended by CHIN Ki-hoon (Daegu Metropolitan City), JANG Jehak (Incheon Metropolitan City), PARK Seon Cheol (Gwangju Metropolitan City), LEE Hyung Jong (Daejeon Metropolitan City), PARK Chulmin (Ulsan Metropolitan City), SHIM Jae Hyun (Gwangwon-do Province), CHO Tae Ick (Chungcheongnam-do Province), RYU Chang Soo (Jeollabuk-do Province), PARK Yeong Sik (Jeollanam-do Province), KIM Byung-yun (Gyeongsangnam-do Province), and KO Yunju (Jeju Special Self-governing Province).