On June 24, Secretary-General Lim Byung-jin of the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR) met with Deputy Director-General Keo Dary of the Kampong Thom Provincial Health Department of Cambodia and his delegation at a conference room of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization in Gyeongju. The delegation was visiting Korea at the invitation of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.
▲ During the meeting, Secretary-General Lim introduced NEAR, its recent activities, the Associate Membership system, and the current status of associate membership. He also delivered a letter addressed to Governor Nuon Parat of Kampong Thom Province requesting the Province's consideration of joining NEAR as an Associate Member.
▲ Secretary-General Lim further requested that Deputy Director-General Keo Dary report the outcome of the meeting to the authority upon his return to Cambodia and kindly deliver the letter to Governor.
Deputy Director-General Keo Dary expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to meet the Secretary-General during his visit to Korea at the invitation of Gyeongsangbuk-do. He noted that the meeting had provided him with a new understanding of NEAR as a multilateral international organization promoting cooperation among local governments in Northeast Asia. He also stated that he would report the results of the meeting to his superiors upon his return and ensure that the Secretary-General’s letter is delivered to Governor Nuon Parat.
<Khuon Phon Rattanak(in the middle), Cambodian Ambassador to Korea> <Prak Thaveak Amida, Undersecretary of the Information Ministry>
As part of his efforts to encourage Cambodian regional governments to join NEAR as Associate Members, Secretary-General Lim also sought the cooperation of Prak Thaveak Amida, Undersecretary of the Information Ministry, during the International Friendship Cities Conference held in Liaoning Province earlier this month. In addition, Secretary-General Lim is scheduled to meet with Khuon Phon Rattanak, Ambassador of Cambodia to Korea, on July 3 to have further discussion.