Keynote Speech, INCHINA Forum International Conference

Good morning. I am delighted to see all of you. 

First, I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone 

attending the InChina Forum International Conference today. 

I especially want to thank Ambassador Dai Bing,

Ambassador of China to the Republic of Korea, for joining us despite his busy schedule. 

Since his appointment, we have met several times, 

and he has shown a deep affection for Incheon. Thank you, Ambassador Dai.

We are also joined by many distinguished guests today, including Vice Chairman Wang Yi 

of the Yunnan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. 

Yunnan Province, with Kunming as its capital, 

is a major center of history, culture, and industry in southern China. 

It is also a representative province and city in China, home to 55 different ethnic minority groups. 

Thank you, Vice Chairman Wang, for joining us today.

We are also joined by Vice Mayor Zhang Shandong of Weihai City. 

As the Vice Mayor mentioned earlier, Weihai is the city geographically closest to Incheon. 

The straight-line distance is only about 300 kilometers, 

making it our nearest neighbor and a city with very deep ties to Incheon. 

The Korea-China FTA Pilot Areas are Weihai City and the Incheon Free Economic Zone. 

Thank you, Vice Mayor Zhang, for being part of such a close relationship.

I would also like to thank Chairman Park Joo-bong of the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 

who has worked hard to promote understanding of China 

and to advance Incheon’s economic growth and development. 

Incheon ranked first in economic growth for three consecutive years, 

including its potential economic growth rate last year. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Park and all the business leaders. 

I also want to thank President Park Ho-koon of The Incheon Institute, 

who declared the opening of today’s forum and prepared it with great care.

The Meaning of Ten Years of the INCHINA Forum

Once again, I would like to welcome you to Incheon, 

a global city of balance, creativity, and communication that connects the world as one. 

Today, I am honored to deliver this keynote speech. 

The INCHINA Forum first began in 2016. 

This forum has now become the leading platform 

for exchange and cooperation between Korea and China, and between Incheon and China. 

I would like to thank everyone who has been with us over the past ten years, 

and all the citizens who have supported us along the way. 

The co-host of this forum is the Ambassador of China to the Republic of Korea. 

Thank you, Ambassador Dai, and thank you to all the distinguished guests, 

officials, and citizens who have joined us today.

Challenges and Opportunities in a World in Transition

Today, we have gathered to explore Incheon’s role 

within the context of “a world in transition and Korea-China relations.” 

Since World War II, humanity has worked to build 

a new international order, learning from the tragic lessons of war. 

The so-called liberal international order, centered on free trade, 

democracy and human rights, multilateralism, and the rule of law, 

has become the universal standard for the global community.

However, our current reality is not so simple. 

The very foundation of this order is now being shaken. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of global public health cooperation. 

Conflicts such as the war in Ukraine have significantly undermined trust in international law and multilateralism. 

Strategic competition between the United States and China is creating new tensions over technology and trade. 

The spread of tariff barriers and protectionism is also undermining the very basis of free trade.

Nevertheless, as always, humanity has overcome crises 

and found new order through solidarity and cooperation. 

The greater the temptation to go it alone, the more essential solidarity and cooperation become. 

I believe that international cooperation based on mutual interdependence 

and reciprocity offers us another opportunity to overcome the universal crises we now face.

The Role of Sub-National Diplomacy and Incheon’s Pioneering Leadership

In this era, the role of local governments is more important than ever. 

We often talk about localization, followed by globalization, 

and this leads to what is now called “glocalization.” 

This is the kind of era we are living in, and it is for this reason that, over ten years ago, 

I launched the INCHINA Forum so that Incheon 

could lead the way in internationalization among local governments.

Local governments possess unique advantages that central governments may not have. 

While central governments are often entangled in sharp political and security issues, 

as well as sensitive international disputes, local governments enjoy relative freedom. 

Local governments also serve as a bridge between the central government and civil society, 

and are in a position to pursue more practical and concrete cooperation.

Incheon is a leading city that has made the potential of sub-national diplomacy a reality. 

As a pioneer of “K-Local Diplomacy,” 

we have presented a new model for sub-national diplomacy in the Republic of Korea.

Even during periods of intense political conflict, 

I have always sought to open channels for practical cooperation. 

In 2017, when Korea-China relations were strained due to the THAAD issue, 

I became the first high-ranking Korean official to participate directly in the Boao Forum for Asia. 

I have worked to maintain a forward-looking relationship 

between Korea and China, even when relations were chilled. 

That was a moment when we resolved the possibilities 

of our cooled bilateral ties in a rational and future-oriented manner. 

At the 2023 Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin, 

I also presented the concept of a “Korea-China-Japan Port Cities Economic Community.”

I am currently serving as Chairman of the Governors Association of the Republic of Korea. 

I first proposed the “Korea-China Governors’ Growth Conference” 

during my sixth term as mayor, and it was held in Incheon. 

The Korea-China Governors’ Growth Conference will be held again next month. 

President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Korea 

at the end of October during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, 

and the conference is scheduled to be held concurrently.

To make this possible, I met with Ambassador Dai Bing 

to establish advance cooperation with the Chinese government. 

With Ambassador Dai’s support, I met with Yang Wanming, 

President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), 

which is similar to our Governors Association of the Republic of Korea, though it has some differences. 

I also met with Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, 

to discuss these matters and prepare for the conference next month. 

As a result, the 3rd Korea-China Governors’ Growth Conference will be held in Seoul this October.

The Need for a New Korea-China Relationship

Distinguished guests and citizens, last year from this very stage, 

I stated that, for Korea and China to continue together in a sustainable way, 

we must build a new cooperative relationship. 

I emphasized that much of what we need to consider must start with a recognition 

that the environment surrounding Korea-China relations is fundamentally changing.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, 

Korea-China relations have seen tremendous progress 

in economics, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. 

However, now is not the time to rest on our past achievements. 

Nor should we rely on old habits and conventions. 

I believe that now, in this rapidly changing domestic and international environment, 

we must face reality and respond proactively as we look toward a new future.

There is a story in the classical Chinese text Lüshi Chunqiu called “Marking the Boat to Find the Sword.” 

If someone drops a sword from a boat and marks the spot on the boat, can they recover that sword?

The boat keeps moving, but the mark stays in the same place. 

In the same way, if we remain stuck in old ways, we will fail to see reality as it is. 

We must overcome this rigidity and truly forge a new, future-oriented relationship. 

I believe this is the new direction we must pursue for Korea-China relations.

Changing Korea-China Economic Structures and New Directions for Cooperation

There was a time when Korea exported intermediate goods 

and China assembled and processed them, 

but that vertical division of labor is now a thing of the past. 

During my recent visit to China, I could see firsthand the tremendous investment 

being made in science and technology and the emergence of new growth industries.

In fields such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, and displays, 

China has already reached a high level of advancement. 

Especially in areas like artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation mobility, 

China is demonstrating world-class technological capabilities 

and achieving remarkable growth, backed by strong administrative and national support.

This powerful trend toward the future in China closely aligns with the direction Incheon 

and the Republic of Korea are pursuing in search of new growth engines. 

I believe that fostering both competition and cooperation 

to create a new, coexistent Korea-China relationship must be our key mission for this era.

The 10th Anniversary of the Korea-China FTA and Future Growth Engines

In order to address these issues and open a brighter future, 

we need the InChina Forum and this international conference. 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement. 

Both governments must now assess the achievements 

and limitations of the first phase of the FTA and move toward the next stage. 

I believe we must focus on new engines of growth, such as culture and tourism. 

We also need to explore new opportunities in the services sector.

As I mentioned earlier, Incheon and Weihai City are both Korea-China FTA Pilot Areas. 

However, I believe the time has come for us to go beyond this 

and make a strategic choice to seek new forms of economic cooperation between Korea and China. 

As you know, Incheon boasts world-class port and airport infrastructure. 

It is a city that is committed to future growth industries and aims to become a global top-ten city.

Therefore, as we achieve practical cooperation in areas 

such as the service industry, cultural tourism, and integrated logistics, 

I believe it is essential to develop a new economic strategy 

that links Incheon’s manufacturing base with future growth engines. 

At a time like this, I believe Incheon is leading the way and setting policy for the Republic of Korea.

Incheon’s Future Vision and Areas for Cooperation

In order for Incheon to discover new engines of growth going forward, 

I believe it is essential to build cooperative relationships in a variety of fields, 

such as expanding fintech consumption in China, strengthening cultural creation and exchange, 

promoting youth exchanges based on content, and supporting startups. 

These are practical challenges that we must address. 

Based on Incheon’s smart city infrastructure and its specialization in digital transformation, 

we will do our utmost to provide all the necessary administrative support for these initiatives.

The Values of Balance, Creativity, and Communication and the Future of Korea-China Relations

Distinguished citizens and honored guests attending today’s international conference, 

we are now experiencing major paradigm shifts in many fields, including international relations, energy, and artificial intelligence. 

This is a time of both opportunity and crisis, and there is much uncertainty. 

However, even in this era of overlapping crises and uncertainty, I believe our direction is clear.

What we need is a balanced Korea-China relationship built on mutual trust and reciprocity, 

the creation of creative and innovative partnerships that go beyond existing frameworks, 

and a foundation of communication and empathy to support sustainable development. 

This is the core message I wish to share with you today.

The core values of balance, creativity, and communication 

that Incheon has consistently pursued are just as relevant for Korea-China relations. 

Through this international conference, I hope that the wisdom and ideas 

we gather will mark the starting point for a new chapter in Korea-China relations. 

I also hope this conference will provide an opportunity to deeply explore 

how Korea and China can build cooperative relationships in a changing world, 

and what role Incheon can play in that journey.

I would like to once again thank everyone 

attending the 2025 INCHINA Forum International Conference. 

I am committed to ensuring that this international conference 

and the INCHINA Forum will continue to achieve sustainable development, 

and I would be deeply grateful if everyone here participates 

in this conference with the same spirit. Thank you.