Gyeonggi Province is resuming inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation after an 8-year hiatus that began on May 24, 2010.

In a briefing session held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex on October 7, Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young announced that Gyeonggi Province has entered a total of six agreements with North Korea. He also affirmed that the two parties are “striving to agree on all that is possible in compliance with the Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration.”

First, North Korea agreed to dispatch a group of representatives to the Gyeonggi Province-sponsored Asia-Pacific International Conference to Promote Peace and Prosperity, which will be held this November. Hosted by the Asia Pacific Exchange Association, this conference will be attended by representatives from 11 countries including China and Japan. The conference is slated to take place at KINTEX, and panel discussions on peace in the Asia-Pacific region as well as a visit to Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri are also being planned.

Second, both parties agreed on the orderly development of mutually cooperative initiatives in terms of sports, culture, tourism, and more. Gyeonggi Province is also considering the extension of the Peace Unification Marathon course, which currently begins at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, to the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the changing of the name of the marathon to the Peace International Marathon.

Third, the two parties are endeavoring to resume cooperation in agro-forestry, livestock, and silviculture, and plan to establish relevant organizations. Vice Governor Lee also reported that they agreed on considering the joint operation of a pilot smart farm in the Hwanghae Province together.

Fourth, both parties agreed on the opening of a branch of North Korea’s famous cold noodles restaurant, Ongnyugwan, in Gyeonggi Province.

Fifth, Gyeonggi Province agreed to cooperate with North Korea in identifying the facts and circumstances of forced mobilization during the Japanese occupation. Vice Governor Lee added that Gyeonggi Province suggested a plan to build a park in the DMZ as a symbol of peace in line with the Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September.

Lastly, both sides agreed on pursuing cooperation in relation to the prevention of diseases such as tuberculosis, as well as parasites and trans-border infectious diseases including Middle East respiratory syndrome, coronavirus and avian influenza. They also agreed on cooperating with groups for disabled individuals.

Vice Governor Lee stated, “If these agreements progress smoothly, Gyeonggi Province will be known as the core of inter-Korean cooperation efforts and for the promotion of peace in Northeast Asia.” He emphasized, “Gyeonggi Province will be a leader in actualizing idealistic concepts of peace and prosperity and firmly establishing them within society.”