- Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok says, “Despite tension at the national level, we must strengthen our exchange and cooperation at the local government level” -
- Mayor also explains that Incheon plays a crucial role in the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with Børge Brende, Chairperson of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and highlighted the importance of continued exchange at the local government level.
Incheon Metropolitan City announced that Mayor Yoo Jung-bok, who attended the World Economic Forum held in Tianjin, China, met with WEF Chairperson Børge Brende on June 28 to discuss new means of cooperation.
<Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok discussing means to cooperate with WEF Chairperson Børge Brende at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin, China, on June 28.>
<Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok greeting guests at the “Tianjin Overseas Korean Residents Conference” (Tianjin Saixiang Hotel in Tianjin, China) on June 28.>
<Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok delivering a congratulatory speech at the 2023 Global Forum on Urban Governance and the seventh East Asia Portal City Policy Forum (Shangri-La Hotel in Tianjin, China) on June 28.>
Chairperson Brende said, “Incheon is a fast-growing city, and I am well aware that Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is a very influential politician.”
Responding to Brende, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok took the opportunity to promote his City, saying, “With the recent establishment of the Overseas Koreans Agency in Incheon, our city has become home to more than 10 million people, which includes the 7.5 million overseas Koreans living across 193 countries as well as the 3 million citizens of Incheon itself.”
When Brende asked how the relationship between Korea and Japan and between Korea and China was, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “The relationship between Korea and Japan, which has been tense for a while now, is starting to ease somewhat since President Yoon Suk Yeol took office. Also, Korea, Japan, and the US are important partners when it comes to economy and security.” The Mayor added, “As for Korea and China, although the dynamics between the two countries may seem strained, we remain important trade partners.”
Regarding this visit to Tianjin, he said, “If the relationship between the central governments remains awkward, I believe that strengthening our exchange and cooperation at the local government level will lead to improved relations between countries.” The Mayor explained, “Should the tension persist between Korea and China, we need to work together in terms of our economy, culture, and the exchange of personnel to help solve other problems.”
Chairperson Brende went on to say that “Korea, which has developed cutting-edge technologies in semiconductors, is an attractive partner to all countries across the globe regardless of its relationship with respective central governments.”
Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “It is clear that Korea has grown the fastest on our planet over the past 50 years, and since we have highly advanced semiconductor, bio, automobile, digital transformation, and high-tech future industries, we need to facilitate economic, cultural, and personnel exchanges for the benefit of our country. Exchange and cooperation in all fields must continue.”
He added, “I sincerely hope Chairperson Brende can meet with political and economic leaders around the world and share the important role that Incheon plays in the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. Also, since Incheon is participating in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Future Air Mobility-Urban Air Transportation (AAM-UAM) subcommittee, we ask for everyone’s interest and participation in the K-UAM Confex scheduled for November in Incheon.”
