Kim Dong-yeon Meets Val?rie P?cresse, Ile-de-France Governor, to Discuss Cooperation Plans

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (left) warmly shakes hands with Val?rie P?cresse, Governor of ?le-de-France, on the 19th (local time).

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who is visiting Switzerland and France to strengthen international exchanges and attract investment, met with Valerie Pecresse, Governor of ?le-de-France, to discuss cooperation plans between the two regions.

On the 19th (local time), Governor Kim met with Governor Valerie Pecresse at the ?le-de-France provincial office and shared breakfast while exchanging opinions on concrete action plans regarding startups, climate change, advanced industries, and youth exchanges.

Governor Kim said, "I believe there are many possibilities for cooperation between the two regions not only in startups, advanced industries, and climate change but also in cultural and artistic exchanges and youth exchanges," and suggested, "First, it would be great if startups could come to Gyeonggi Province as part of startup exchanges."

He continued, "We are promoting the Gyeonggi Province RE100 climate change response policy in four major areas: public sector, companies, industry, and the daily lives of residents," adding, "There are many areas for cooperation including low carbon. Right after my inauguration, I established the Future Growth Industry Bureau and the Climate Bureau, and I hope to seek cooperation by promoting contact at the executive level. If you designate a director-level person in charge, we will promote an annual meeting."

Governor Pecresse responded, "?le-de-France also has a technology business cluster similar to Gyeonggi Province, and Saclay, which serves as an advanced technology engine. I think there will be many opportunities for cooperation between the two regions," and added, "You mentioned that Korea has a Silicon Valley like Saclay, so it would be good to have close exchanges."

She further expressed, "The number of French youth interested in Korea is increasing. This year, we selected seven scholarship students to send to Korea, and I hope to increase tourism exchanges as well. The last time I visited Korea was 7 to 8 years ago. I would like to visit again," expressing her intention to expand exchanges and visit Korea.

The two agreed to invite startups from both regions to VivaTech (scheduled for May), France's largest startup technology exhibition, and a startup event that Gyeonggi Province plans to hold in the second half of the year. They also agreed to form a director-level working group for the concrete promotion of youth exchange programs and environmental projects.

Governor Pecresse especially showed active engagement by canceling existing schedules and arranging the meeting despite the tight schedule as Gyeonggi Province sought to visit ahead of attending the World Economic Forum (Davos Forum). She also joined the breakfast hosted for the provincial delegation that day.

?le-de-France is a metropolitan local government that includes the capital city Paris and is the most populous region in France with 12.4 million residents.

It shares many similarities with Gyeonggi Province, such as housing the capital and having the largest regional population. Since signing a friendship and cooperation agreement in 2016, ?le-de-France and Gyeonggi Province have engaged in exchanges across various fields. Due to this connection, Governor Pecresse sent a congratulatory letter to Governor Kim Dong-yeon on his election in September 2022.

On the same day in the afternoon, Governor Kim met with Christian Cambon, Senator of ?le-de-France, at the French Senate building to discuss cooperation plans between the two regions and countries.

Governor Kim said, "I respect and thank you for your efforts to ensure the unanimous passage of the French Senate's resolution supporting the Korean Peninsula peace declaration and for your efforts to attract Expo Busan," adding, "Gyeonggi Province seeks to deepen cooperation not only with ?le-de-France but also with France as a whole, and your support would be a great help."

Senator Cambon replied, "I am very pleased that the partnership between Gyeonggi Province and ?le-de-France is becoming stronger," and said, "Although Korea is not geographically large, I highly regard its significant position in economic development, media, automobiles, and various innovation fields. I hope we continue to cooperate well in the same direction."

Governor Kim concluded his 9-day, 7-night overseas visit with the meeting with Senator Cambon and will return home on the 21st.

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