Seven members of Izumo City Council and three staff of Izumo Chamber of Commerce & Industry led by Tatano Tsuyoto, a member of Izumo City Council, visited Pohang(Gyeongsangbuk-do Province) on January 19-21 via Seoul and Incheon and discussed exchange and cooperation plan. On the 20th, the delegates arrived in Pohang. They paid a visit to the POSCO Museum and the 2nd heat factory and laid flowers on the Park Tae-joon statue, former POSCO Chairman, who made the effort to build future-oriented friendly relations between Korea and Japan. The delegates met with members of Pohang City Council, staff of the Pohang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Pohang Institute of Local Community at POSCO International Center and discussed the cooperation plan between both cities. Tatano Tsuyoto said that “Pohang City and Izumo City have been close with deep historical bonds. As this year marked the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, we should promote the exchange between both countries.” Lee Dong-gul, Chairman of Pohang City Council replied that “we try to stay positive regarding the exchange between Pohang and Izmo.” One representative from Japan and one from Korea were designated to facilitate mutual contact at the meeting. In addition, they suggested making a place for comfortable and friendly relations between Korean and Japanese regional cities aside of central government’s political issues by forming a group composed of at least three people, including one economic expert, one cultural expert, and one representative of the City Council and creating a symposium to jointly discuss and study the current issue of Pohang and Izumo City. As Izmo city is the birthplace of Japanese alcoholic drinks and Gwamegi is considered a local specialty in Pohang, they suggested holding a Local Products Expo. Pohang and Izumo City started its first exchange in 2009 and continued exchange activities every year focusing on both city’s City Halls, City Councils, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry until 2012. Between 2013 and 2014, the exchange was stopped and this visit was the first official visit since then. The NEAR Secretariat led by a public official seconded from Japan and Japan expert accompanied the delegates and provided them with interpretation and guide during their visit to Pohang. .