Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun Proposes 'Sustainable Urban Planning Policy' Exchange with Sister City Townsville, Australia

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City Mayor Lee Jae-jun visited sister city Townsville, Australia, and proposed to Mayor Jenny Hill that they "continuously share policies and cases related to sustainable urban planning."

Mayor Lee visited Townsville City Hall on the 4th (local time) to meet with Mayor Jenny Hill and said, "I hope Suwon and Townsville will exchange more actively and strengthen cooperation."

The Suwon City delegation, led by Mayor Lee Jae-jun, has been visiting Australia since the 3rd at Townsville's invitation.

At his meeting with Mayor Hill on the 4th, Mayor Lee proposed △cooperation on sustainable urban planning △coordination in honoring war veterans △marathon exchange △civil servant exchange.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "I hope we can share policies and cases related to sustainable urban planning, which is a common interest of Suwon and Townsville," and added, "If there is a war veterans' event in Townsville, I would like to send a congratulatory video from Suwon and provide commemorative gifts with our gratitude."

Mayor Jenny Hill said, "Exchange and cooperation on sustainable urban planning policies is a good proposal," and noted, "Townsville has the 'Great Barrier Reef' nearby, and we are very interested in sustainable development where humans and the environment coexist." The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system along Australia's northeastern coast and was designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 1981.

Townsville is pursuing sustainable development policies aimed at achieving 'Net Zero' by 2050, where individuals, companies, or organizations absorb as much greenhouse gas (carbon) as they emit to make net emissions 'zero'. The city is implementing sustainable development policies throughout municipal administration, including a 'Water Smart City' that minimizes water use citywide, a 'Solar City' that uses solar energy, and 'zero waste' that reduces garbage emissions.

Mayor Jenny Hill also said, "Australia hosts 'Kapyong Day' every April 24th, commemorating 'the Battle of Kapyong,' a landmark battle of Australian forces who participated in the Korean War," and added, "I will introduce you to Australian military commanders (who can help with honors for war veterans)." She also responded, "Marathon exchange is certainly possible, and we will consider civil servant exchange as well."

The 'Battle of Kapyong' was fought from April 22–26, 1951, when the 3rd Battalion of the Australian Royal Regiment (based in Townsville) achieved a miraculous victory after fierce combat against one division of Chinese communist forces.

Meanwhile, on the 3rd, Mayor Lee Jae-jun visited the Korean War Memorial at Cascade Gardens in Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland, and laid a wreath. Established in 2011, the Queensland Korean War Memorial honors the bravery, noble sacrifice, and dedication of Australian forces who participated in the Korean War.

On the morning of the 6th, Mayor Lee participated in a 5km shortened marathon with Mayor Jenny Hill at the '51st Townsville Running Festival' held throughout Townsville. That afternoon, he attended the opening ceremony of the 'Korea-Australia Blood Alliance Historical Photo Exhibition Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice' at the Townsville Military and War Museum and delivered a congratulatory address.

The Korea-Australia Blood Alliance Historical Photo Exhibition features photographs of Kapyong Streets (10 locations), Kapyong Bridges (2 locations), and Korean War memorials installed throughout Australia by returning war veterans to commemorate the 'Battle of Kapyong'.

On the 7th, Mayor Lee is scheduled to inspect areas of Townsville where a 'Landscape Recovery Project' is being undertaken, accompanied by the Director of Townsville's Sustainable Development Office, and is scheduled to return home on the 8th.

Suwon and Townsville have been maintaining steady exchanges since signing an international sister city agreement in April 1997. A Townsville City delegation led by Mayor Jenny Hill attended the 59th Suwon Hwaseong Culture Festival in October of last year.