Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil Discusses IT and Big Data Cooperation with German Bundestag Delegation

Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil met on the 13th with a delegation from the German Federal Bundestag and reached a consensus on establishing close cooperative relations in the fields of IT and big data.

Governor Nam shared a luncheon on the afternoon of the 13th at 1:10 p.m. at Bongneyongsa in Suwon with approximately 10 members of the German Federal Bundestag delegation led by Jens Koeppen, chairman of the Digital Committee, and proposed, "We are planning to develop 'Second Pangyo' as a future city based on big data and the Internet of Things (IoT). We plan to hold an International Big Data Forum in the fall and would like to invite you."

In response, Delegation Head Koeppen readily accepted the invitation, saying, "Germany also holds a big data-related summit in Hannover. Since Germany is also in its early stages, it is important to consult from the beginning. We would like to cooperate with Gyeonggi Province."

Delegation Head Koeppen further stated, "The digital sphere is a global issue, and I would like to cooperate with Gyeonggi Province, where digital and IT are well-developed," and added, "My district, Brandenburg, shares many commonalities with Gyeonggi Province in that it surrounds the capital, so the possibility of cooperation is high."

Governor Nam and Delegation Head Koeppen also exchanged views on reunification and coalition government.

When Governor Nam said, "Germany has much to teach us. I envy your reunification, coalition government, and system for fostering small and medium enterprises," Delegation Head Koeppen responded, "Reunification should come from the power of people rather than political power or institutions. I believe that if we do not lose hope for reunification and establish mutual trust, reunification will certainly come to pass."

He also invited Governor Nam, saying, "Coalition government is a difficult process, but ultimately it is the key to success. When you visit Germany, I would like to invite you to the Federal Parliament and Brandenburg."

As Germany has recently placed its digital agenda at the forefront under Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel's leadership and made IT development a top priority, expectations are high that cooperative relations between Gyeonggi Province and Germany in the fields of the creative economy, IT, and startup support will become even more active.

Governor Nam will meet with Bulgarian Ambassador to South Korea Petar Andonov on the 14th and British Ambassador to South Korea Charles Hay on the 17th.