Jeonbuk Province Explores Step-by-Step Promotion of Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation

Published 25 Aug.2021 15:48(KST)

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho] Jeonbuk Province announced on the 25th that it held the ‘2021 Jeollabuk-do Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Committee’ and discussed the application for preliminary approval of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects.

Through the meeting, Jeonbuk Province decided to select exchange and cooperation projects that leverage its strengths and characteristics, and plans to promote projects step-by-step upon the resumption of inter-Korean exchanges through the Ministry of Unification’s public contests.

The preliminary approval public contest for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects targets projects jointly promoted by local governments and North Korea. Upon meeting the preliminary approval requirements, the Ministry of Unification grants project approval on the condition that agreements related to North Korea are supplemented later.

Prior to this, with the revision of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act allowing local governments to independently promote inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects, Jeonbuk Province was designated as a ‘Jeollabuk-do North Korea Support Project Operator’ by the Ministry of Unification in March to directly promote inter-Korean exchanges.

Additionally, through an ordinance revision next year, the validity period of the Inter-Korean Exchange Fund, established until the end of last year, will be extended until 2027 to strengthen the foundation for sustainable inter-Korean exchange and cooperation promotion in Jeollabuk-do.

Woo Beom-gi, Deputy Governor for Political Affairs of the province, said, “Although practical exchanges are impossible due to the strained inter-Korean relations and the COVID-19 situation, we will actively respond to the Ministry of Unification’s public contest for local governments’ inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects.”