Busan, South Korea – On April 17, the city of Busan announced that it had held a ceremony at the city hall’s International Conference Room to renew the “Agreement on Friendship Exchange Items” with Japan’s Nagasaki Prefecture.
Since signing the Friendly and Cooperative City Agreement on March 25, 2014, Busan and Nagasaki have been reviewing and renewing their friendship exchange items annually in various fields such as culture, tourism, education, and economy to strengthen substantive cooperation.
From 2020 to 2022, due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, mutual visits were difficult, and agreements were signed or postponed via online video conferences. However, the 2023 agreement marks a significant milestone as it was signed in-person after three years, thanks to the recovery of daily life and the visit of Nagasaki Prefecture officials to Busan.
The agreement renewal ceremony was attended by the directors in charge of international affairs for both cities, with the director-general of Busan’s committee for the Expo 2030 bid, and the Policy Director of the Department of Culture, Tourism and International Affairs, Nagasaki Prefectural Government signed the renewed agreement.
The renewed agreement not only includes previously pursued friendship exchange items but also adds support for “book exchanges” in the field of education. A new provision has been added for active cooperation in the 2030 Busan World Expo bid.
Nagasaki Prefecture, a friendly cooperative city, had expressed its support for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid at the 30th Korea-Japan Strait Coastal Province Exchange Governor’s Conference in October last year. This renewal agreement further solidifies that support.
Through the renewal agreement, Busan and Nagasaki expect to revitalize their friendship exchange by utilizing various methods, including in-person and non-face-to-face interactions gained through pandemic experiences.
Cho You-jang, director-general of Busan’s committee for the Expo 2030 bid, said, “This year marks the ninth year of friendly cooperation between Busan and Nagasaki. We expect the renewal of the Friendship Exchange Agreement will serve as an opportunity for both cities to further enhance international cooperation and coexist in various fields.”
Meanwhile, Busan and Nagasaki, friendly cooperative cities, have been continuously exchanging and cooperating in various projects, including the joint support for the world’s documentary heritage of the Joseon Tongsinsa, Korea-Japan Future Seminars, Korea-China-Japan Youth Baduk Exchange Tournament, and Environmental Technology Exchange Conferences.
