On December 6, Secretary-General LIM Byung-jin held discussions with delegations from Heilongjiang and Hunan provinces, who were in Gyeongju to partake in the NEAR International Forum 2023 and the 14th Subcommittee on Economy and Humanities Exchange.

Mr. Lim welcomed the delegations, which included DA Zhigang, a second-level researcher and chief expert at the Northeast Asia Research Institute of Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, and HOU Xibao, vice president at the Development Research center of Hunan Provincial People’s Government, Hunan Academy of Social Sciences. He highlighted the significance of the event as the largest international forum ever, with the participation of 38 local governments from five Northeast Asian countries. Additionally, Mr. Lim revealed plans to establish a think tank network for local governments in Northeast Asia in the future, seeking support from the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences and the Hunan Academy of Social Sciences.   

In response, Mr. Da expressed gratitude to Mr. Lim for his role in promoting exchange and cooperation between Heilongjiang Province and South Korea during Mr. Lim’s tenure as consul-general in Shenyang. He assured continued efforts from the Northeast Research Institute of Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences in serving as a think tank for local governments. 

Mr. Hou also extended appreciation to Mr. Lim for the invitation to the International Forum. He mentioned that the Hunan Academy of Social Sciences, traditionally focused on the Southeast Asian region, would broaden its research scope to the Northeast Asian region through active participation in the NEAR International Forum 2023.