Korea Island Promotion Agency Takes Active Steps as International Research Institution... Anticipating Progress in Korea-Japan Island Exchange

Meeting with Iki Mayor Following Hachijo Town Chief in Japan for Various Discussions

Reception with South Korean Ambassador to Japan... Meeting with Heads of Japanese Regional Government Offices

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Korea Island Development Institute (KIDI, President Oh Dongho) is expected to advance exchanges between Korean and Japanese island regions as it embarks on a full-scale effort on the 16th to become an "international specialized island research institution."

KIDI arranged exchanges between domestic islands and Japanese islands (Ikino-shima and Hachijo-jima) through its first overseas schedule (December 12?16) aimed at responding to population extinction and regional (island) disappearance, sharing excellent cases of island development.

Accordingly, the long-stagnant Korea-Japan relations due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic are expected to open a new chapter through the revitalization of island exchanges.

On the 12th, KIDI held an international exchange meeting with Tomonari Yamashita, the village head of Hachijo Town, followed by a meeting with Hirokazu Shirakawa, mayor of Iki City, on the 16th.

The international exchange meeting was promoted to fulfill the role of a "global island exchange hub," one of the five core strategies of the "Korean Island Development Grand Design" announced on the first anniversary of KIDI's launch.

Representatives from the Japan Island Center also attended this meeting. This was because through prior exchanges and cooperation with the Japan Island Center, they shared a commitment to sustainable island development both domestically and internationally.

Earlier, on the 13th, KIDI visited the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan and met with Ambassador Yoon Deok-min. The embassy plans to support policy exchange and cooperation for island promotion between Korea and Japan (KIDI and Japan Island Center).

During the visit to Japan, KIDI held meetings consecutively with the Japan Island Center, the Japan Island Society, and heads of three regional government offices in Japan, gathering various opinions. This is regarded as an opportunity to establish a foundation for collaboration between domestic islands and Ikino-shima (Iki City) island.

Ikino-shima, the twentieth largest island in Japan, consists of four towns: Konoura, Isada, Ashibe, and Katsumoto.

In particular, Iki City is considered a model example of excellent island development as an "SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Future City."

On September 25, 2019, at the regular meeting of the Iki City Council, a "Climate Emergency Declaration" was passed, including the need to transition to an "SDGs Future City" by realizing decarbonization to respond to global warming.

The efforts of the residents of Iki City island are also noteworthy. To respond to aging and changing times, the local government and island residents established a "Village Construction Council."

Additionally, to create a desirable island to live on, the island residents, autonomous village halls, and various organizations formed a council, attracting attention for the voluntary participation of local residents.

Oh Dongho, president of KIDI, said, "We are at a turning point where 'islands are not a crisis but a new opportunity,'" adding, "We will do our best to promote and publicize Korea's beautiful islands through the activation of domestic and international exchanges."

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