The Korea Ceramics Foundation (KOCEF) announced on February 14 that it would participate in Maison & Objet 2025, to be held in Paris from September 4 to 8. It will also operate the Gyeonggi Ceramics Pavilion.

Maison & Objet is the world’s largest interior and design fair, held twice annually—once in January and again in September. This year, the foundation will collaborate with the cities of Icheon and Yeoju to support Gyeonggi Province ceramics companies in expanding their international markets. This year marks the third participation since 2023.

Exhibitor recruitment will be announced on the KOCEF website (kocef.org) in March, with around 20 companies expected to participate. Selected exhibitors will receive various benefits, including local stay support, exemption from transportation and round-trip overseas shipping fees (except for the import/export of works within Korea), free insurance for works during transportation, exhibition setup support, production of promotional materials such as photos and catalogs, export procedure training, and additional promotional and operational support.

Of particular note, 19 ceramics companies that joined the event last year achieved a total of 349 export consultations with international buyers through the foundation’s ongoing follow-up management, resulting in export consultations valued at approximately KRW 200 million. Currently, sample transactions and deliveries are being discussed with vendors and distributors in the Netherlands, Greece, Canada, Spain, and other countries.

KOCEF will also introduce the “Gyeonggi Ceramics Export Voucher Support Program” this year to further assist in overseas market development. This program aims to provide practical support to domestic ceramics companies by addressing key challenges in the pre-export process, such as communication with foreign buyers in their local languages, sample transportation costs for commercial transactions, issuance of trade documents, and brokerage services for carriers, as well as shipping and translation costs. Further details will be announced on the foundation’s website in March.

Choi Moon-hwan, KOCEF CEO, stated, “We are committed to enhancing the global competitiveness of Gyeonggi’s ceramics industry, increasing its recognition in international markets, and providing more international exchange and export opportunities for Gyeonggi artists. Through continued participation in prestigious overseas fairs and the launch of the Gyeonggi Ceramics Export Voucher Support Program, we will promote the excellence of Korean ceramics worldwide.”

Decentralization progress and changes in the international landscape have led to a diversification and expansion of diplomatic actors, extending beyond the central government to include local governments, businesses, and civil society. In response, experts emphasize the need to broaden the scope of diplomacy, focusing on non-traditional security issues and soft power.

On February 13, the Gyeonggi Research Institute (GRI) announced the publication of its report, Study on Strategies for the Revitalization of Local Diplomacy in Korea, aimed at strengthening local governments’ diplomatic capabilities and establishing a foundation for international cooperation.

According to the report, in today’s global environment—where strengthening international networks and increasing international responsibility are essential—local governments must establish themselves as independent diplomatic entities and expand their diplomatic agenda and influence.

The report emphasizes that the international community is facing more immediate and direct challenges, such as economic crises, resource depletion, climate change, environmental pollution, natural disasters, pandemics, international crime, terrorism, and cybersecurity threats. As such, relying solely on traditional, central government-led diplomacy is inadequate.

To develop strategies for revitalizing local diplomacy, the researchers analyzed data from 20,673 international exchanges by regional and municipal governments from 2004 to 2023. This data informed multifaceted proposals for revitalizing local diplomacy in Korea and provided specific implementation measures. The study also examines local diplomacy case studies from Japan and China, identifying trends in exchange patterns, frequency, and programs that offer lessons for Korea.

The report suggests three key strategies to strengthen Korea’s local diplomacy: developing and advancing a diplomatic strategy based on Korea’s cultural strengths; enhancing global cooperation networks for mutual growth; and diversifying diplomatic participants and engagement methods. It also proposes that local governments establish tailored diplomatic strategies through benchmarking, differentiation, and branding. Additionally, it calls for legal and institutional support to enhance policy and financial collaboration with the central government.

“There are differing views among academics and policymakers regarding the concept of ‘local diplomacy,’ but building consensus is essential to addressing key challenges like sustainable economic development, global issues, and regional depopulation,” said Kim Sang-gyu, a research fellow at GRI. “An urgent shift in perceptions on the importance, necessity, and direction of local diplomacy is needed, along with discussions on institutional support and promotion.”

Amid growing concerns over a national leadership vacuum following the aborted declaration of martial law, Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim’s decisive crisis management leadership has drawn significant attention.

On the night of December 3, Governor Kim was the first to publicly denounce the illegality of the martial law declaration and voice his opposition. At approximately 11:40 PM, he posted on social media: “This is an outrageous act that sets Korea back 45 years. Lift the emergency martial law immediately.” He swiftly convened an emergency leadership meeting and, despite the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s directive to shut down the provincial government offices, firmly refused, stating that he would take full responsibility.

The next day, his first official response to the martial law crisis was to send an “urgent letter” to more than 2,500 global political leaders, local government leaders, heads of international organizations, ambassadors, and foreign investors.

“The situation in the Republic of Korea has been effectively stabilized at the national level, and the people have regained a sense of security, resuming their daily lives. The Korean people are continuing with their everyday routines, and all sectors of the economy and industry are operating without disruption.”

“Gyeonggi Province remains committed to providing a stable and secure environment for foreign businesses. I encourage you to place your trust in Korea and Gyeonggi Province as you continue your operations.”

This letter, sent on December 4, immediately after the lifting of martial law, underscored Governor Kim’s swift diplomatic response to reassure international stakeholders. By emphasizing Korea’s resilience, Governor Kim sought to dispel concerns among foreign investors, stating, “As the governor representing 14.1 million residents of Gyeonggi Province and a political leader of Korea, I personally assure you that your business and the Korean economy will continue to thrive together.”

The central message of his diplomatic outreach was clear: “Trust in Korea.” Governor Kim’s diplomatic initiative elicited swift responses from world leaders and the international community. Klaus Schwab, Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), sent a letter on December 9, stating, “I am very pleased to see that the resolution to lift martial law has been implemented peacefully… As a long-time observer of Korea, I have no doubt that the country will overcome this challenge and once again demonstrate its resilience.”

Ambassador Pieter van der Fluit of the Netherlands, Ambassador Bruno Jans of Belgium, and Nguyen Duc Trung, Party Secretary of Vietnam’s Nghe An Province, also sent letters of appreciation, expressing confidence in Korea. A senior diplomat in Seoul remarked, “Governor Kim’s sincere letter deeply resonated with the diplomatic community in Korea.”

■ Reaffirming the Strong U.S.-Korea Alliance by Meeting the U.S. Ambassador; Swift Economic Engagement Through Diplomacy

Following his “letter diplomacy,” Governor Kim prioritized meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Korea to reaffirm the “strong” Korea-U.S. alliance amid the martial law crisis.

On December 24, he met with U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, discussing international perspectives on Korea’s political situation, including the martial law crisis and the impeachment proceedings, as the second Trump administration was set to take office.

In 2025, Governor Kim has continued diplomatic engagement with foreign business organizations to help restore Korea’s global credibility and reaffirm confidence in its economic resilience.

On January 8, he visited the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK), urging foreign businesses to remain active in Korea and continue investing.

Meeting with AMCHAM Chairman James Kim, he emphasized Korea’s economic resilience and potential to American businesses. In discussions with ECCK Chairman Philippe Van Hoof, he explored economic cooperation between European companies and Gyeonggi Province, highlighting the KRW 73.36 trillion (approx. USD 55 billion) in investments Gyeonggi has attracted during his tenure as well as collaboration in semiconductors, future mobility, and biotechnology.

On January 16, he met with French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux, discussing strategic partnerships between Gyeonggi Province and France in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and startups. His efforts bore fruit when François Jackow, Chairman of Air Liquide, visited Gyeonggi’s provincial government offices and announced a USD 25 million (approx. KRW 35 billion) investment.

■ The Only Korean Politician to Attend the Davos Forum; Proclaiming “Trust in Korea” Before Leaders and Entrepreneurs Across the Globe

Governor Kim’s diplomatic engagements culminated at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, from January 18 to 24. Widely regarded as the “Olympics of the global economy,” the Davos Forum is one of the most influential international conferences. As the only Korean politician and local government official present, he effectively represented Korea’s economic interests, earning him the title of “Korea’s Economic Ambassador.”

In a special session titled “A Conversation with Governor Dong Yeon Kim,” he provided an exclusive briefing to global media leaders, marking the first-ever media briefing by a Korean opposition leader hosted at the Davos Forum. Over 20 senior editors and diplomatic correspondents from the U.S., U.K., China, United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia participated, reflecting keen global interest in Korea’s situation.

Using a Korean proverb, Governor Kim stated, “Just as the ground hardens after rain, Korea’s democracy will emerge stronger from this crisis, and our economy will prosper,” emphasizing the Korean economy’s potential and resilience.

Throughout the forum, he consistently underscored these features of the Korean economy. He later revealed that he personally handed out business cards with the handwritten phrase “Trust in Korea!”

■ Substantial Diplomatic Achievements From Sequential Meetings With “Trump Circle” Figures

Rather than focusing on the Trump administration’s inauguration marketing like other politicians, Governor Kim chose substantial diplomacy at Davos to restore Korea’s credibility. President Trump also showed great interest in Davos, providing a video speech to the forum.

At the Davos Forum, Governor Kim’s efforts in diplomatic engagement yielded remarkable outcomes, including meetings with Gary Cohn, IBM Vice Chairman and former White House National Economic Council Director. Cohn, an acquaintance of Governor Kim from when he served as Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister, welcomed the meeting after seven years and pledged to act as a bridge between Gyeonggi Province and the Trump administration. Governor Kim also discussed cooperation in battery technology, startups, and the automotive industry with Sarah Sanders, Governor of Arkansas, as well as future developments in Korea-U.S. relations.

He met with the president of S&P Global Ratings to share insights regarding Korea’s international credit standing, engaging in an in-depth conversation on Korea’s economic credibility. Governor Kim also engaged in exchanges with key international figures such as Al Gore, former U.S. Vice President, Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, and Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

He further held a series of meetings with global business leaders, including Adam Goldstein, co-founder of Archer, a U.S. company known for developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and Chuck Robbins, Chairman of Cisco Systems, urging them to invest in Gyeonggi Province.

■ Continued Diplomatic Outreach After Return: Meeting With Canadian Ambassador

After returning to Korea, Governor Kim met with Canadian Ambassador Tamara Mawhinney on January 6 to discuss measures for addressing potential trade policy shifts following the inauguration of Trump’s second term. They reaffirmed the two countries’ enduring partnership in economic and industrial sectors, emphasizing their importance as mutually beneficial partners amid the trade risks stemming from the U.S.

On February 10, Governor Kim will host the Foreign Investment Roundtable at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex to promote foreign investment in Gyeonggi Province, continuing his diplomatic efforts and once again proclaiming, “Trust in Korea!”

Gyeonggi Province is providing elementary school admission guidance information for the 2025 school year to 2,037 registered foreign children aged 6 residing in 21 cities and counties of the province.

Foreign children are not subject to compulsory education and are not registered as residents, making it difficult for local governments to provide school admission guidance. As a result, foreign parents are often unaware of how to enroll their children and miss the enrollment period.

The province planned the provision of this school admission guidance to address difficulties faced by elementary schools in areas with high concentrations of foreign children, where the enrollment status of those children is often unknown and confusing, and to address the problem of foreign children being left without school admission guidance.

As of last November, there were 3,407 children aged 6 residing in Gyeonggi Province who were eligible for elementary school admission. Among them, 2,037 foreign children in 21 cities and counties are the target of the school admission guidance information, excluding 10 cities and counties including Gimpo City, which proactively provided guidance, and Gwacheon City, which has no resident foreign children of the targeted age.

As the Ministry of Justice provided personal information on foreign children, Gyeonggi Province held a school admission guidance explanatory meeting on Jan. 8, and subsequently sent written elementary school admission guidance letters, working together with 21 cities and counties.

In the future, the province plans to expand school admission guidance activities for foreign children to all of its 31 cities and counties, including those that did not participate this time.

Gyeonggi Province’s Immigration Society Policy Division Director Heo Yeong-gil stated, “School admission guidance is not just an administrative procedure, but an important policy that guarantees basic rights, giving foreign children and their families equal opportunities as local residents… Gyeonggi Province will take the lead for a Korea in which we grow together in diversity as we enter the era of an immigrant society.”

Gyeonggi Province announced that it will dispatch four teams of youth volunteers to conduct climate response volunteer activities, such as tree planting, in the Philippines and Cambodia.

Gyeonggi Province held the volunteer group launch ceremony at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex on Jan. 24, 2025.

The youth volunteers are being dispatched as civilian delegations for climate action to contribute to addressing the climate gap between developed and developing countries. Following the dispatch of 120 volunteers to Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan last August, 80 volunteers selected from this winter’s recruitment are being sent abroad: 40 to the Philippines and 40 to Cambodia.

The winter dispatch members will be divided into four teams and conduct overseas volunteer activities for about three weeks from Feb. 1 to 18. Their main activities will include tree planting suitable for the local characteristics of each country, environmental maintenance, environmental education, climate action campaigns, cultural exchanges, and various volunteer activities and exchange events. After returning home, a performance sharing meeting involving all summer and winter dispatch members will be held in March, summarizing the activities and achievements.

At this launch ceremony, which marked the official inauguration of the volunteers after preliminary training in Korea, team activity plans were presented, appointment letters were conferred, and members’ sense of duty and dedication were strengthened.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim encouraged the volunteer members through a video message from the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Governor Kim said, “Here at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, political and economic leaders from around the world gather to discuss various topics, and one of the major themes is responding to climate change. I met with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and various ministers to inform them about Gyeonggi Province’s efforts and we agreed to work together.” He continued, “Gyeonggi Province has been implementing some of the most proactive policies to respond to climate change, and the role of the volunteer members will be crucial in carrying this out in the future. I hope you take pride in your work and achieve good results.”

Gyeonggi Province announced that Governor Dong Yeon Kim attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, and met with key figures from various countries, including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, and French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin, and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, to discuss cooperation with Gyeonggi Province.

Governor Kim met with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore at the Davos Congress Center in Switzerland on Jan. 21, 2025. Governor Kim elucidated the political situation in Korea and concerns about Korean democracy following the aborted declaration of martial law, emphasizing the resilience of the Korean people. He then introduced the progress of Gyeonggi Province’s climate policy and extended an invitation to visit Gyeonggi Province.

Former Vice President Gore expressed concern about global attempts to regress democracy and praised Governor Kim’s consistent commitment to climate policy and efforts to normalize Korean politics.

This is the third meeting between Governor Kim and former Vice President Gore. In August 2023, Governor Kim participated as a local government representative speaker at the Climate Reality Leadership Training held at KINTEX in Goyang City, where he exchanged opinions with Gore on overcoming the climate crisis. They met again last year at Davos 2024 to discuss cooperation plans.

Governor Kim then met with French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin to discuss strengthening bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

The two agreed on the need to strengthen and expand cooperation between France’s local governments, Gyeonggi Province, and businesses in the fields of semiconductors, AI, and batteries.

They also agreed to strengthen practical cooperation between France and Gyeonggi Province amid increasing uncertainty in the global economy, including dual conflicts in supply chains and security, Trump’s tariff tactics, and energy policy repercussions, and extended invitations to each other for reciprocal visits. Furthermore, Governor Kim and Minister Saint-Martin exchanged mobile phone numbers for direct communication.

Governor Kim also met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong to promote bilateral cooperation.

Governor Kim proposed strengthening cooperation in startups, trade, and youth exchanges, and extended an invitation to Deputy Prime Minister Gan, expressing expectations that his visit would lead to more practical cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan stated that Singapore values economic cooperation with neighboring countries, including South Korea, amid changes in the international landscape. He mentioned that Hyundai Motor’s research facility is highly regarded as the only mobility facility in Singapore, and expressed hope for Governor Kim’s support in transferring Korean companies’ management know-how and internships.

Gyeonggi Province and Singapore have maintained steady exchanges in innovation since Davos 2024, including meetings between Governor Kim and Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister of Communications and Information Josephine Teo, a meeting between Gyeonggi Vice Governor for Economy Kim Hyun-gon and a delegation led by Second Permanent Secretary for the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group Augustine Lee, and a visit to the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex by Singaporean Ambassador to Korea Eric Teo.

Last July, as part of Gyeonggi’s Youth Ladder project, 30 young people from Gyeonggi Province participated in language classes and various experiential activities at the National University of Singapore (NUS). In October, Singapore’s Chief AI Officer, Dr. He Ruimin, attended the Gyeonggi Great Global Transformation Forum hosted by Gyeonggi Province to discuss AI and humanomics. The Singapore government has also officially extended an invitation to Governor Kim through the Nathan Fellowship, a program that invites foreign dignitaries to share insights with Singaporean leaders and senior government officials. In November, Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Research Foundation Heng Swee Keat visited Gyeonggi Province and promised to strengthen bilateral cooperation and innovation coordination.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim continued his economic revitalization initiative by reaching out to domestic fabless enterprises after meeting with self-employed and small business owners. These efforts are a part of his ongoing visits to stimulate the economy, which began earlier this year.

On January 15, Governor Kim held the “Discussion of Engagement and Empathy for Gyeonggi Province Fabless Industry’s Next Big Step” at the Seongnam Global Convergence Center in Pangyo, Seongnam City, where he engaged with local entrepreneurs.

The event sought to explore the growth potential of the fabless industry and identify ways to promote its development. It was expected to be attended by representatives of over 30 fabless companies in the province, including Rebellion, as well as officials from organizations such as the Korea Electronics Technology Research Institute, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Korea Advanced Nano Fab Center, and Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering & Technology.

The event, presided over by Governor Kim and conducted in an open format, featured 11 panelists, including National Assembly Member Lee Soo-jin, Provincial Assembly Members Lee Jae-yeong, Jeon Seok-hoon, Seo Hyeon-ok, and Bang Seong-wan, as well as Korea Fabless Industry Association Chairman Kim Gyeong-su and Korea Semiconductor Industry Association Vice Chairman Kim Jeong-ho. They listened to the opinions of entrepreneurs and discussed strategies for the development of the industry.

According to Gyeonggi Province, 120 companies, more than half of the 205 fabless businesses in Korea, are situated in the province. Of those, 70 are located in Seongnam City.

Governor Kim made “Pangyo Fabless Cluster Establishment” one of the priorities of his administration. He is also working to attract companies and support organizations, build necessary facilities, and nurture talent to create a thriving fabless ecosystem by connecting the existing 1st and 2nd Pangyo districts with the 3rd Pangyo area now under development.

At the New Year’s press conference, he also outlined three emergency measures to rebuild the national economy: Super Budget for Citizens’ Everyday Life, Responding to the Trump 2.0 Era, and Revitalizing Businesses. The provincial budget includes an investment of at least KRW 15 trillion into future industries.

Governor Kim sees the fabless industry as one of the most important of these future sectors.

In his speech at the “Semiconductor Cluster Forum” held in Pangyo, Seongnam City, in December, Governor Kim stated, “We cannot afford any delays in fostering semiconductors, our flagship industry, as well as future industries with growth prospects such as bio, advanced mobility, and AI big data, while also caring for the livelihoods of our people.” He unveiled “three key visions” for the semiconductor industry, including all-out efforts to create a semiconductor mega-cluster, build an independent semiconductor value chain, and foster an innovative semiconductor ecosystem.

Gyeonggi Province is also pursuing the creation of the world’s largest semiconductor mega-cluster, with projects already underway in the cities of Yongin, Pyeongtaek, Hwaseong, and Anseong. These initiatives are geared to support not only the fabless industry but the semiconductor industry as a whole.

Meanwhile, Governor Kim held a New Year’s press conference at a Seolleongtang (ox bone soup) restaurant on January 13. The following day, he continued his economic revitalization site visits by providing financial counseling to self-employed individuals in Siheung City, including a young couple running a chicken restaurant and the owner of a grilled fish restaurant.

In an effort to ease the financial burden on multicultural families, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Gyeongin Regional Communications Office will continue to offer the same discount on international Express Mail Service (EMS) for multicultural families as last year.

Eligible recipients of the discount include those who are identified as “spouse of a national” or who have F-6-1, F-6-2, or F-6-3 alien registration status; marriage immigrants who qualify under Subparagraph 2, Article 2 of the Multicultural Family Support Act; those who can provide proof of their naturalization status; and those whose status can be verified through their resident registration cards or family relations certificates.

The base discount for international Express Mail Service (EMS) is 10%, with an additional 3% discount for those who use the online post office for easy pre-registration.

This discount is available at all post offices in Gyeonggi Province, except for commercial bulk mail. Applicants can easily apply in person at any post office or via a representative after they have prepared the required documents.

For more information about the application process and required documents, applicants can visit the ePost Korea website (epost.go.kr) or call the helpline at 1588-1300.

As of 2024, there are over 358,000 multicultural families in Gyeonggi Province, an increase of approximately 15,000 from the previous year. Last year, Gyeonggi Province supported around 3,000 international express shipments, discounting approximately KRW 6,600 per shipment for a total of KRW 19 million in savings.

The province plans to discuss expanding the program to include foreigners and international students in cooperation with the Gyeongin Regional Communications Office.

Kim Won-kyu, Director General of Gyeonggi Province’s Immigration Society Bureau, stated, “Through cooperation between local governments and public institutions, we aim to become a role model for improving the quality of life for multicultural families… We will also explore additional support initiatives to provide tangible benefits and lay a foundation for social integration.”

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government will invest KRW 7.4 billion by 2029 to advance net-zero water management technologies. These efforts will include digitally operated water and sewage facilities, sewage treatment utilizing renewable energy, and other innovative approaches.

On January 2, the provincial government announced the establishment of the “3rd Five-Year Initiative for Water Management Technology Development and Water Industry Promotion (2025–2029),” which outlines details of the investment. This initiative aims to promote sustainable growth among local water companies under the vision of “Gyeonggi Province Water Companies as Net-Zero Leaders” and emphasizes heightened global competitiveness through the development of net-zero technologies and the expansion of international operations.

It encompasses four key strategies, including intensive support for net-zero technologies, support system upgrades, strategic assistance for overseas expansion, and strengthening water industry expertise and activating networks, as well as 15 unit projects. The total budget is estimated to be KRW 7.4 billion.

Under “Intensive Support for Net-Zero Technologies,” Gyeonggi Province will focus on the development and commercialization of advanced water technologies. These include digital water and sewage facility operations that enable remote measurement, monitoring, and control through smart technology; sewage treatment using renewable energy; low-energy seawater desalination; and water reuse systems to address climate challenges.

The “Support System Upgrades” strategy involves enhancing the role of the Gyeonggi Province Water Industry Support Center as a control tower for the relevant industry. Key measures include establishing an AI-based water information system and developing a cooperation model for local companies in Gyeonggi.

With “Strategic Assistance for Overseas Expansion,” Gyeonggi seeks to create opportunities tailored to each water company for global market pioneering. Planned projects include hosting training programs for international buyers, conducting overseas field research, and organizing export consultation events.

The final strategy, “Strengthening Water Industry Expertise and Activating Networks,” includes hosting the Gyeonggi Water Industry Development Forum, building sector-level cooperation frameworks, and supporting feasibility studies for official development assistance (ODA) projects overseas.

Pyo Myeong-gyu, Director of Gyeonggi Province’s Water Supply and Drainage Division, stated, “The third implementation plan serves as an explicit blueprint for advancing water management and nurturing the water industry in Gyeonggi. It will lay the foundation for the province’s water industry to be recognized in global markets beyond Korea… We will contribute to the improvement of water welfare and environment that can be felt by the people of the province.”

Gyeonggi Province will also draft annual action plans based on this initiative and strengthen cooperation with the private sector to effectively implement key projects.

On December 24, Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim welcomed British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and the United Kingdom, as well as the current situation in Korea.

Governor Kim emphasized that Korea is addressing the political turmoil, including the lifting of martial law and the impeachment of the president, through democratic processes. He expressed gratitude for the support received from Korea’s allies during this time and reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with them in the future.

In response, Ambassador Crooks stated that the United Kingdom has been closely monitoring the situation in Korea and commended the progress of the country’s constitutional process. He also expressed his confidence in continued close cooperation with Korea as a strategic global partner.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of topics, including global affairs and economic issues, and reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between the two countries. They agreed to continue close collaboration, particularly in areas such as climate change responses and high-tech industries.

Prior to his appointment as the UK Ambassador to South Korea in February 2022, Ambassador Crooks served as the UK’s Ambassador to North Korea. He is a recognized expert on the Korean Peninsula, having also served as First Secretary at the British Embassy in Seoul from 1995 to 1999, where he oversaw Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Korea.

Since taking office, Governor Kim has worked to strengthen the friendly relations between Gyeonggi Province and the UK through numerous high-level exchanges. Starting with a meeting with Ambassador Crooks in July 2022, their cooperation has continued through significant events, including a visit to the British Embassy to offer condolences after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, a meeting with the UK Climate Action Ambassador in October, and Ambassador Crooks’ participation in the DMZ Peace Walk.

Moreover, cooperation between the two sides has expanded to various fields, including Governor Kim’s participation in a reception hosted by Ambassador Crooks at the British Council in November 2022, meetings with British Trade Envoy John Whittingdale in 2023, and Ambassador Crooks’ speech at the opening ceremony of Eco Fair Korea .

This meeting was organized in response to Governor Kim’s emergency overseas letter regarding the declaration of martial law on December 3, reflecting the solid trust between Governor Kim and Ambassador Crooks.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government expects this meeting to be an invaluable opportunity to reaffirm shared values and further strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries.