– Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo promises to cooperate with the Province of British Columbia, Canada, on international boat shows, the Pyeongchang Olympics and youth exchange

 – ‘Gyeonggi Day’ declared on first day of Governor Kim’s visit; ‘BC Day’ to be declared during reciprocal visit

British Columbia declares April 18^th to be ‘Gyeonggi Day’

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo, who visited Canada on April 18, signed a Gyeonggi Province-British Columbia cooperation agreement with BC Premier Christy Clark at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. Gyeonggi Province and British Columbia are sister regions.

Governor Kim and Premier Clark agreed to cooperate in the execution of the Korea International Boat Show (June 8 to 12) and the 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress (Sept 26 to Oct 5), as well as in the support of educational exchange and the Pyeongchang Olympic bid. Of particular note, Premier Clark declared the day of Governor Kim’s visit to British Columbia to be ‘Gyeonggi Day,’ flew the flag of Gyeonggi Province, and initiated an event in which Korean residents abroad can participate annually. Also, Gyeonggi Province declared its intention to designate ‘British Columbia Day’ when Premier Clark visits Gyeonggi Province. 

Governor Kim requested support to aid the bid by Pyeongchang County of Gangwon Province to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. The venue of the 2010 Winter Olympics was Vancouver, a leading city of British Columbia. Premier Clark agreed to share knowledge and experience gained by BC in the successful attraction and hosting of the Winter Olympics.  

Also, the two provinces will engage in practical cooperation in bilateral youth exchange. Gyeonggi Province selected Taejang High School in Suwon City as a model school for youth exchange through home stay programs and other initiatives. Concurrently, Taejang High School and Victoria High School in BC entered a sister-school relationship with the support of Governor Kim and Premier Clark.  

During his visit, Governor Kim offered congratulations to Premier Christy Clark on her inauguration in March; Premier Clark is the second woman to serve as Premier of British Columbia. The Governor’s visit reciprocated an official visit made by former BC Premier Gordon Campbell to Gyeonggi Province in May 2008.

Governor Kim said, “British Columbia successfully hosted the Winter Olympics last year, and also possesses considerable strength in biotechnology, renewable energy, and many other sectors. Expanding pan-Pacific exchange and cooperation between our two regions is a mutually beneficial and future-oriented growth strategy.”

“Korea’s and Gyeonggi’s partnership with British Columbia spans the Pacific and is built on a solid two-way trade relationship totaling billions of dollars annually,” said Premier Clark. “The sister-province relationship we have with Gyeonggi is bringing together businesses and the education sector to create jobs and opportunities in both provinces.” 

With an area of 947,800km², British Columbia is the fifth largest region in Canada, and it also is home to 4.51 million residents, the third largest population in the nation. The province’s largest city, Vancouver, has topped the list of the world’s most livable cities compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit for five straight years. Approximately 65,000 Koreans live in British Columbia, which is a leading exporter of coal, wood products, aluminum and other natural resources to South Korea.

 – Offered by Press Relations Division

Quote from an official press release by the Government of British Columbia. http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2011PREM0034-000394.pdf