SEOUL, 28 July 2022 - Goyang City's International Cooperation Team (Branding Division) Ms. Jeong So-yeong, Team Leader, and Ms. Mijeong "MJ" Park, Senior Specialist for International Relations paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega to discuss Goyang City's interest in city-to-city cooperation with municipalities in the Philippines. Joining Ambassador De Vega were Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr., Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, and Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista.

During the call, both sides discussed the importance of increased local government cooperation, especially in partnering with cities with existing complementarities. Goyang City is known as a city of higher education and technical skills training, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) industry, tourism, green development, technological exchange, and agriculture. Ambassador De Vega also expressed that like Goyang a proud member of the UN Cities for a Sustainable Future (ESCAP), many municipalities in the Philippines are also working to achieve the balance between urban and rural development.

Both sides also discussed the important role the Filipino community plays in the Republic of Korea, as Filipinos are the 6th largest ethnic and multicultural group in Goyang City. Filipino residents in Goyang are known to be active in cultural and church activities. Goyang is also home to the Korean War Monument to the Philippine Armed Forces which was built in 1974 as a tribute to the Philippines' valiant efforts during the Korean War.

At the end of the call, both sides looked forward to working closely together to realize a city-to-city partnership with Goyang in the future. END