Suwon City and Korea-North Korea Economic and Cultural Cooperation Foundation Unite for Korean Peninsula Peace and Reunification

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City and the Korea-North Korea Economic and Cultural Cooperation Foundation (KNCECF) have joined hands for peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula.

Suwon City and the KNCECF signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding for Inter-City Cooperation Between South and North Korea' at Suwon City Hall on the morning of the 3rd.

The MOU aims to link 30 cities on both the southern and northern sides to conduct continuous inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects.

The signing ceremony was attended by Mayor Yom Tae-young, City Council Chairman Cho Seok-hwan and city council members, relevant department officials, and KNCECF officials including Chairman Im Jong-seok.

Through this agreement, the city and the KNCECF decided to promote long-term cooperation between Suwon City and one North Korean city as soon as possible, based on the principles of joint prosperity between the two Koreas, continuous and institutional cooperation, and citizen participation as part of efforts to establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

To this end, the city and foundation decided to select and implement essential living cooperation projects including ▲humanitarian cooperation projects ▲agricultural cooperation projects ▲forestry cooperation projects ▲healthcare and medical cooperation projects, as well as 5-10 priority cooperation projects utilizing Suwon City's resources. The North Korean city that will be the subject of the cooperation project will be selected based on the characteristics of the priority cooperation projects determined by Suwon City. Chairman Im Jong-seok stated, "The North Korean city as a partner will be determined by Suwon City."

The relevant departments of Suwon City will oversee project implementation, while the KNCECF's Strategic Planning Committee will provide consultation and cooperation. Suwon City will secure necessary organization and budget to ensure project implementation, while the KNCECF will secure a reliable communication channel with the North to work toward successful project execution.

Mayor Yom Tae-young said in his remarks, "Suwon City's long-held aspiration has finally been realized. The city has long made efforts for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation. Suwon City established ordinances related to inter-Korean exchange cooperation back in 2007. Additionally, Suwon City's Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Committee was formed to promote private inter-Korean cooperation." He continued, "I am grateful to the KNCECF for opening the door to inter-city exchange between South and North in these difficult circumstances."

Chairman Im Jong-seok said, "Because of significant fluctuations depending on international circumstances and inter-Korean situations, private inter-Korean exchanges have not been stable, failing to build trust. That is why I have long believed that if local governments become the foundation of trust, it could lead to stable exchanges. And it just so happens that the Ministry of Unification has recently allowed local governments to conduct humanitarian cooperation projects."

He added, "Like Mayor Yom Tae-young, I will serve as a reliable bridge for those who practice inter-Korean exchange first and foremost. Starting with Suwon City, I expect diverse exchanges with distinctive characteristics to continue among local governments," expressing gratitude for Suwon City's swift action.