[Photo] Kim In-ho, Chairman of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Meets with Former U.S. Federal Senators and Representatives Delegation

Prepared to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Revival of Local Councils... Chairman Kim Urges Interest in Korea-US Local Council Exchanges

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 29th at 2:30 PM, Kim In-ho, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, met with a delegation of former U.S. federal senators and representatives, including former U.S. Congressman Kim Chang-joon, in the Chairperson's reception room. They reviewed the history of local autonomy in both countries and discussed mutual exchanges between local councils.

The delegation, led by former U.S. Congressman Kim Chang-joon (Republican, California), was composed of members of the Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC). Their purpose was to enhance understanding of Korea through visits to Korean institutions and companies and to contribute to fostering a friendly Korea-U.S. relationship through private diplomacy.

The U.S. federal senators and representatives delegation congratulated the 30th anniversary of the revival of Korean local councils, achieved through citizens' democratic struggles, and supported the successful hosting of the Seoul Metropolitan Council's 30th anniversary commemorative ceremony scheduled for July 8.

Chairperson Kim In-ho said, "Although local autonomy has been practiced for 30 years, there is still a long way to go," and requested the members to share the experiences of local autonomy in the U.S., where democracy has been strengthened over a long period through local self-governance.

Chairperson Kim also noted that the Association of Former Members of Congress plays a bipartisan role as a bridge for active exchanges between Korea and the U.S., and asked for continued interest in exchanges between Korean and U.S. local councils in the future.

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