Yongsan-gu - Quynhon City, Vietnam International Exchange Project Receives Minister of the Interior and Safety Award

The Korea Council of Governors of Provinces presented the results of the international exchange project between Yongsan-gu and Qui Nhon City at the finals of the "Internationalization Best Practices Contest" held on the 16th, winning the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award... Judges praised the support for outstanding students' overseas studies and the Love House Building project.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan District (left), is holding a child during his visit to the 'Yongsan-Quy Nhon Friendship Cultural Village' in Quy Nhon City, Vietnam, in September last year.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seongjanghyun) received the Grand Prize (Minister of the Interior and Safety Award, prize money of 5 million KRW) at the final competition of the ‘2020 Local Government Internationalization Best Practices Contest’ held on the 16th at the Korea Association of Governors (Donghwa Building 15th floor, 106 Seosomun-ro, Jung-gu).

The Internationalization Best Practices Contest is a competition that collects, evaluates, and awards outstanding cases of exchange and cooperation activities between Korean local governments and foreign cities, providing benchmarking opportunities among local governments.

The Korea Association of Governors has been hosting this event since 2013.

The district won the grand prize with the theme “Yongsan-gu - Qui Nhon City International Exchange, Leading the Global Economy!” summarizing the achievements of 25 years of international exchange projects, after preliminary and final evaluations.

Qui Nhon City is the capital of Binh Dinh Province in central Vietnam and a rising international tourist city. The connection between Yongsan-gu and Qui Nhon dates back to the Vietnam War in 1965. The Maengho Unit, established in Yongsan, was stationed in Qui Nhon and achieved numerous battle records. It was literally a bitter relationship.

However, after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Vietnam in 1992, exchanges between Yongsan-gu and Qui Nhon began at the suggestion of veterans from the Maengho Unit. In particular, Mayor Seongjanghyun, who was serving as a member of the Yongsan-gu Council in 1996, first visited Qui Nhon as a representative of the district, and around the same time, a delegation from Qui Nhon visited Yongsan-gu, opening the door to friendly exchanges.

The full-scale project began after Mayor Seongjanghyun was re-elected in the 5th local election. The Qui Nhon City Outstanding Student Study Abroad Support Project started in 2011. The district has admitted one student annually to Sookmyung Women’s University, providing scholarships and living expenses. So far, nine students have benefited, four of whom have completed their studies. They are expected to become pillars of future Korea-Vietnam exchanges.

The Love House Building Project, which has continued since 2012, has also received positive responses. The Saemaul Movement Yongsan-gu Branch and Yongsan-gu Chamber of Commerce have built and donated 21 houses to locals so far. Last year, in partnership with HDC Shilla Duty Free, a state-of-the-art early childhood education facility (kindergarten) was also established. This area is called the “Yongsan-Qui Nhon Friendship Cultural Village.”

In 2013, the district helped establish a cataract treatment center at Qui Nhon City Hospital in collaboration with Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital and Amorepacific. Professor Lee Seongjin of Soonchunhyang University Hospital, known as the “Schweitzer of Yongsan,” visits Qui Nhon annually to provide medical technology training and patient treatment. Approximately 4,500 people have benefited.

In 2016, the Yongsan International Exchange Office was established in Qui Nhon. In partnership with the Sejong Institute Foundation, an institution for spreading Korean language and culture, the “Qui Nhon Sejong Institute” operates within the office. The district is actively promoting projects such as investment briefings for domestic companies, local guides, and support for worker recruitment.

In 2016, the district also created Korea’s first Vietnamese-themed street, “Vietnam Qui Nhon-gil,” on a side road of Itaewon (59 Bogwang-ro-gil). Around the same time, “Yongsan Street” was established in the central area of the An Phu Ting new city development zone in Qui Nhon. It is the first case in Vietnam of a street named after a foreign city, symbolizing the deep bond between the two cities that met as enemies and became friends.

Mayor Seongjanghyun of Yongsan-gu said, “We have continued many exchanges with Qui Nhon City to overcome painful history and build a future-oriented relationship,” adding, “We hope that through our efforts, Korea and Vietnam will develop an even stronger relationship.”

Mayor Seongjanghyun also became the first Korean local government head to receive the Vietnamese Presidential Friendship Medal in 2018. The Vietnamese Presidential Friendship Medal is the highest grade medal awarded to foreigners who have contributed to the development of friendly relations between Vietnam and other countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.