Yongin Special City Establishes Sister City Relationship with Andong City, Gyeongbuk Province

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Yongin Special City established a sister city relationship with Andong City in Gyeongbuk Province on the 23rd, pledging to strengthen exchange and cooperation for mutual development of the two cities.

The agreement ceremony held at the Conference Room of Andong City Hall was attended by approximately 30 people, including Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin and Mayor Kwon Ki-chang of Andong, as well as officials from both cities and representatives of private organizations.

In particular, representatives from Yongin-based YMCA, Youngnam People's Federation, Honam Regional Association Federation, and Idong-eup Entrepreneurs Association, who provided support for Andong wildfire damage recovery, as well as representatives from Andong-based private organizations, also attended, adding meaning to this public-private partnership-based sister city relationship.

The two cities agreed to strengthen cooperation in various sectors including administration, economy, culture, and tourism going forward.

According to the agreement, the two cities plan to pursue various exchanges including △exchange of local specialty products and support for direct sales markets △promotion and participation in cultural arts groups and festivals △provision of discounted admission to tourist attractions △sharing of excellent policies in administration, welfare, and economic sectors.

In particular, in the tourism sector, citizens of both cities will be able to enjoy major tourist attractions of the other city at discounted prices. Yongin citizens can visit Hahoe Village and Dosan Seowon, representative tourist sites of Andong, at reduced prices, while Andong citizens receive discounted admission to Yongin Nature Leisure Forest and Rural Theme Park.

Additionally, Yongin City plans to support Andong City enterprises' overseas expansion by utilizing its signature project, the "Citizen Interpretation Supporters" program.

Mayor Kwon Ki-chang of Andong said, "I anticipate that the dynamic Yongin City and Andong City, centered on reflection and contemplation, will meet and grow together as cities representing Korea," adding "I hope that going forward, the two cities will cherish tradition, learn from each other, and develop together through cooperation."

Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin said, "I hope that through this sister city relationship, both cities develop together and become a source of strength for each other," and continued, "Let Andong and Yongin well inherit Korea's spiritual culture and jointly lead future industries."

Mayor Lee further added, "Through this sister city relationship, let us deepen our understanding and cooperation between the two cities, and make efforts so that all citizens can enjoy more prosperous and happy lives."

At the agreement ceremony held that day, Mayor Lee Sang-il and Mayor Kwon Ki-chang signed the sister city agreement, and the two cities exchanged commemorative gifts they had prepared.

In addition, Mayor Kwon Ki-chang delivered a thank-you letter to Mayor Lee Sang-il, expressing gratitude to Yongin City for its generous support in recovering from the wildfire damage that occurred in Andong in March.

Subsequently, a time was arranged to present 113 million won in donations prepared by Yongin private organizations for recovery from Andong wildfire damage. Including the donation ceremony on that day, the total amount of wildfire damage recovery funds delivered by Yongin City to Andong City reaches approximately 166 million won.

With this agreement, Yongin City's number of domestic sister cities increased to a total of 12. Since 2006, the city has established sister city relationships starting with Jindo-gun, followed by Yeongcheon, Jeju, Wando-gun, Sacheon, Goseong-gun, Hampyeong-gun, Sokcho, Danyang-gun, Jeonju, and Gwangyang. Additionally, a sister city relationship with Goesan-gun in North Chungcheong Province is scheduled for the 24th.