Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il Discusses Friendly Cooperation with Quang Nam Province Chairman Le Van Dung of Vietnam

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Yongin Special Mayor Lee Sang-il held a forum on the morning of February 26 (local time) at Quang Nam Provincial Government headquarters in Vietnam with Le Ván Dũng, Chairman of Quang Nam Province People's Committee (Provincial Governor), and other high-ranking officials of Quang Nam Province to discuss cooperation and exchange plans between the two cities.

The forum was attended by Mayor Lee, Yongin City Council Chairman Yu Jin-seon, Vice Chairman of the City Council Lee Chang-sik and other city council members, Provincial Governor Le Van Dung (Chairman of People's Committee), Vice Chairman of People's Congress Tran Xuan Vinh, Deputy Secretary-General of People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, Director of Science and Technology Department Nguyen Duc Binh, Vice Chairman of Tam Ky City People's Committee (Vice Mayor) Nguyen Minh Nam, and others.

Kim Sang-sik, head coach of Vietnam's national football team, also attended at Mayor Lee's invitation.

Mayor Lee Sang-il stated, "I am grateful that the officials of Quang Nam Province and Tam Ky City warmly welcomed our Yongin delegation," and continued, "Yesterday, under the guidance of Quang Nam Province officials, I visited the ancient city of Hoi An, and I could see that the long history is well-preserved and felt the unique sentiment of Vietnam. Since Quang Nam Province and Yongin City signed a friendly exchange agreement in 2013, officials from both sides have strengthened their friendship through mutual visits. I believe this is why we were able to support the construction of a smart library in Tam Ky City through our ODA (Official Development Assistance) project."

Mayor Lee said, "I hope that today at this venue, serious discussions will take place on ways for both cities to further promote exchange and strengthen cooperation."

To Coach Kim Sang-sik, Mayor Lee said, "Thank you for visiting Quang Nam Province by plane from Hanoi." He continued, "Coach Kim demonstrated outstanding leadership in January to lead Vietnam's national football team to an undefeated championship victory in the Mitsubishi Electric Cup, also called the World Cup of Southeast Asia, greatly contributing to Korea-Vietnam friendship relations. I hope you will also provide much support in strengthening cooperation between Yongin City, Quang Nam Province, and Tam Ky City." Coach Kim responded, "I am grateful to Mayor Lee Sang-il for inviting me to Quang Nam Province, and I will do what I can to help Yongin, Quang Nam Province, and Tam Ky City build even more intimate relationships."

Chairman Le Van Dung stated, "I sincerely welcome Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin City, City Council Chairman Yu Jin-seon, city council members, and the city delegation who have visited Quang Nam Province, and I hope you will have an enjoyable stay and experience the diverse attractions of Quang Nam Province."

Chairman Le Van Dung said, "Quang Nam Province maintains friendly cooperation relations with three Korean cities, and many Korean companies are investing in Quang Nam Province. I hope to build even more active friendly cooperation relations with Yongin City in the future," and officially invited Mayor Lee and the city delegation to attend Quang Nam Province's representative festival, the 'International Ginseng and Lily Festival' scheduled for July and August.

Mayor Lee stated, "Attending both sides' festivals and understanding each other's culture and deepening friendship is also a good method," and expressed hope that Chairman Le Van Dung and delegations from Quang Nam Province and Tam Ky City will visit for the 'Citizen Festa and Joayong Character Festival' scheduled to be held by the city in September coinciding with Yongin City's Citizens' Day.

Quang Nam Province is an administrative district located in central Vietnam and is one of Vietnam's 58 provinces. The provincial capital is Tam Ky City. It consists of two cities and 15 districts and counties with a population of 1.64 million.

Quang Nam Province boasts rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery. Representative cultural heritage includes the My Son Sanctuary and the Ancient Town of Hoi An, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The My Son Sanctuary is home to Hindu temples of the ancient Champa Kingdom. The Ancient Town of Hoi An is a port city that flourished from the 16th to 18th centuries, showcasing a unique urban landscape with a mix of diverse architectural styles and cultures.

Yongin City and Quang Nam Province decided to strengthen cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and other fields with the construction of the smart library in Tam Ky City's International Lotus Village.

Chairman Le Van Dung thanked Coach Kim Sang-sik, who attended the forum, for greatly contributing to the development of Vietnamese football with his outstanding leadership.

Coach Kim stated, "The chemistry between the Korean coach and Vietnam's men's football national team seems to work well. Following Coach Park Hang-seo, I was also able to achieve the Mitsubishi Electric Cup championship last January," and continued, "Quang Nam Province and Yongin City also seem to have good chemistry. I will cheer for the two cities to develop together through cooperative relations in the future."

At Mayor Lee's request, Coach Kim made a surprise visit to a Vietnamese youth football training facility on the same day to encourage and support the youth football players training there.