'Celebrating 20 Years of Sister City Relations' Suwon City-Cambodia's Siem Reap Province, Continuing Exchange and Cooperation

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon City and Cambodia's Siem Reap Province, marking 20 years of sister city relations, are strengthening their friendly relationship and continuing exchange and cooperation.

Mayor Lee Jae-joon of Suwon City, together with a city delegation, visited Siem Reap Province from September 20-22, attended the 20th anniversary commemoration event, and pledged continued cooperation. The delegation included Vice Chairman Kim Jung-ryeol of the Suwon City Council and city council members, Chairman Hong Soon-mok of the international volunteer organization Happycamb and its members, medical representatives, citizen volunteer groups, and officials from the Suwon Merchants Federation.

Opening of 'Saebbit Computer Lab' at Suwon Middle and High School

Mayor Lee Jae-joon attended the opening ceremony of the 'Saebbit Computer Lab' created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of sister city relations on September 21. The Saebbit Computer Lab at Suwon Middle and High School in Phnom Kravaom Suwon Village, Siem Reap Province, is equipped with 30 personal computers (PCs).

Suwon City provided support for PC replacement, and Happycamb established the computer lab. The Suwon Merchants Federation supported desk replacement, smart TV installation, and internet setup, while Chairman Shin Hyun-sam of the Suwon Volleyball Association supported the installation of solar panels.

Mayor Lee Jae-joon stated, "The Saebbit Computer Lab is a result of the dedication and cooperation of citizens, symbolizing the unity and harmony of Suwon citizens," and expressed his hope that "students at Suwon Middle and High School will study in a better environment and grow into leaders of Phnom Kravaom Suwon Village."

Following the opening ceremony, Mayor Lee visited the painting volunteering sites at homes and Suwon Elementary School, encouraging volunteers and participating in volunteer work alongside Happycamb and citizen volunteer groups.

Holding 20th Anniversary Commemoration Event and Pledging Continued Exchange and Cooperation

In the afternoon, Mayor Lee visited the Siem Reap Province government office to meet Governor Prak Sophoan and participated in the '20th Anniversary of Suwon-Siem Reap Sister City Relations Commemoration Event.'

The 20th anniversary commemoration event included the signing of a 'Suwon Village Scholarship Project Agreement,' screening of a commemorative video for the 20th anniversary of Suwon-Siem Reap relations, remarks from Mayor Lee Jae-joon, Vice Chairman Kim Jung-ryeol of the Suwon City Council, Chairman Hong Soon-mok of Happycamb, and Governor Prak Sophoan of Siem Reap Province, and a presentation on the outcomes of specialized education in Suwon Village.

The 'Suwon Village Scholarship Project' will support two outstanding graduates from Suwon Middle and High School in Suwon Village each year from 2025 to 2028 to complete a six-month Korean language course at Ajou University's Korean Language Institute.

Under the agreement, Suwon City will support 50% of tuition and airfare and the full amount of dormitory expenses, Happycamb will support living expenses, and Ajou University will support 50% of tuition. Siem Reap Province will recommend outstanding graduates and guarantee the students' status.

Mayor Lee Jae-joon stated at the agreement signing, "To commemorate the 20th anniversary of sister city relations, we are launching a scholarship project to nurture future generations for the first time," and expressed his expectation that "students from Suwon Village will participate in language training in Suwon, becoming dreams and hopes for children in Suwon Village, and can also serve as a bridge between Suwon City and Siem Reap Province."

He added, "I express my gratitude to Chairman Hong Soon-mok of Happycamb and its members for their active support for this scholarship project."

Governor Prak Sophoan of Siem Reap Province presented Cambodian national medals to Mayor Lee Jae-joon, Chairman Hong Soon-mok of Happycamb, and General Director Kim Mi-sun.

At a presentation on the outcomes of specialized education (Korean language and taekwondo) for students in Suwon Village, they sang 'Beautiful Country' in chorus. During a taekwondo demonstration, Won Si-ta, a Cambodian national taekwondo representative from Suwon Village, participated. Won Si-ta is a Southeast Asian Games silver medalist.

Mayor Lee Jae-joon stated, "By visiting Suwon Village today, I was able to witness the changes that have taken place," and said, "The success of the Suwon Village project was made possible by the support of Suwon citizens including Happycamb, Lotus World, and the Siem Reap Provincial Government." He further expressed his expectation that "today's 20th anniversary commemoration event will strengthen the solidarity between our two cities."

Governor Prak Sophoan said, "Thanks to the support of Suwon City, Happycamb, and Lotus World, Phnom Kravaom Suwon Village has been able to develop steadily over the past 20 years," and stated, "I hope to establish a sustainable cooperation framework and continue exchange and cooperation going forward."

After the commemoration event, Mayor Lee Jae-joon visited the BWC Children's Center of Lotus World, an international development non-governmental organization, to hear opinions from Lotus World officials regarding the Suwon Village support project.

Private Organizations Including Happycamb Present Donated Goods to Suwon Village

Mayor Lee Jae-joon concluded his visit to Siem Reap Province by attending the Suwon Village donation ceremony held at Suwon Middle and High School on September 22.

Happycamb, Suwon Agricultural Cooperative, Suwon Healthcare and Medical Organizations, citizen volunteer groups, Chairman Shin Hyun-sam of the Suwon Volleyball Association, Representative Kim Yong-ki of Segi Musical Instruments, Chairman Kim Jae-ok of the Suwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Suwon Merchants Federation, IBK Corporate Bank Dong-Suwon Branch, and the private household division of the Youngtong-gu branch of the Suwon Childcare Center Federation presented a variety of items including dishes, rice, housing improvement projects, towels, recorders, books, uniforms, school supplies, eco-bags, bags, clothing, toys, taekwondo uniforms, and bicycles.

Vice Governor Manny Raingsey of Siem Reap Province, Vice Chairman Kim Jung-ryeol of the Suwon City Council, and Chairman Hong Soon-mok of Happycamb attended the donation ceremony.

Mayor Lee Jae-joon stated, "I express my gratitude to Chairman Hong Soon-mok of Happycamb and its members for consistently supporting Suwon Village for 17 years," and said, "Suwon City and Siem Reap Province will work together to ensure that Suwon Village continues to develop."

Suwon City established international sister city relations with Siem Reap Province in July 2004 and decided to support the Phnom Kravaom Village, which had been a slum area, establishing the 'Suwon Village Creation Plan' in January 2007. The Suwon Village support project became the catalyst for Suwon City to begin full-scale ODA (Official Development Assistance) activities.

After the Suwon Village declaration ceremony in December of that year, Suwon City has been continuously implementing support projects in cooperation with private organizations, local non-governmental organizations, and the Siem Reap Provincial Government. Happycamb, which has been alongside Suwon City since the beginning of Suwon Village creation, has been continuously implementing Suwon Village support projects. It has supported the establishment of 'Suwon Elementary and Middle School,' a core facility and infrastructure in the village, the village cooperative self-reliance facility, affiliated buildings of Suwon Middle and High School, and housing improvement projects.

The Suwon Village support project has been implemented in stages. In the first phase, from 2007 onwards, Suwon City supported the establishment of village infrastructure including schools, common bathrooms, wells, community halls, roads, and bridges. During the second phase (2013-2015), beyond infrastructure development, it created the foundation for residents' self-reliance.

The practical goal of the third phase support project was 'nurturing talented individuals to lead sustainable village development.' The establishment of Suwon Middle and High School was the core of the third phase project.

Since the beginning of the Suwon Village creation project, Suwon City has prioritized 'residents' self-reliance' as its primary task. Currently, the fourth phase support project is being implemented, with the direction set as 'strengthening residents' self-reliance capacity' and 'building a self-reliance foundation based on income enhancement support projects.'

A city official stated, "We express our gratitude to 'Happycamb,' which has been with us since the beginning of the Suwon Village support project, 'Lotus World,' which has provided great assistance to local activities, doctors and nurses who have participated in medical volunteer work, Suwon citizens who have been a reliable support, the Siem Reap Provincial Government, and the residents of Phnom Kravaom."