Coastal Regions of Eight Cities and Provinces in Korea and Japan Pledge Cooperation for Tourism Activation
- Mutual agreement in a joint statement to attract tourists from both countries during the governor’s meeting on the 30th -
- Governor Kim Young-rok proposes the “Korea-Japan Global Marine Tourism Belt” -
[Department of International Cooperation Shin Hyun-gon 286-2410, China Cooperation Team Leader Jang Woo-jae 286-2430]

(Attached four photos of the Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting)
The leaders of eight regional organizations in South Korea and Japan have adopted a joint statement emphasizing active efforts for mutual cooperation, including attracting tourists, as proposed by Jeollanam-do Province to revitalize the tourism industry.

Jeollanam-do Province announced that it will host the 31st Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting in Yeosu for two days starting from the 30th.

In particular, on the first day, the governors of the eight regions announced a joint statement resolving to actively promote interregional exchanges for mutual development within the enduring friendly relations.</p>

The key points of the joint statement include contributing to the swift recovery of the tourism industry and local economies, which suffered setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; discussing new projects proposed by Jeollanam-do Province for attracting Korean and Japanese tourists and various exchange projects suggested by the eight cities and provinces; and hosting the 2024 Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting in Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Before this meeting, more than 70 working-level officials from four Korean cities, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Busan Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do Province, and Gyeongsangnam-do Province, as well as four Japanese prefectures, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, and Yamaguchi, actively supported the promotion of tourists and international events between the two countries and concentrated on discussing measures for the swift recovery of the local economy.

Furthermore, this was an occasion to strengthen ongoing exchanges and cooperation within the coastal regions of Korea and Japan. Presentations from each city and province governor were centered on post-COVID tourism activation strategies. Nagasaki Prefecture presented “Tourism Activation Measures,” Busan Metropolitan City introduced “Global Tourism City Busan,” Yamaguchi Prefecture highlighted “Tourism Promotion in Yamaguchi Prefecture,” Gyeongsangnam-do Province elaborated on “Shaping the Future of KoreaJapan Coastal Tourism Together,” Saga Prefecture showcased “A Unique Place, Saga,” Jeju Special Self-Governing Province emphasized “Sustainable Revival of Jeju Tourism,” and Fukuoka Prefecture introduced “Tourism Activation Measures.”

On this meeting day, Jeollanam-do Province presented its vision under the theme “Jeollanam-do, the Tourism Capital Leaping to the World,” including the Visit Jeollanam-do Year 2022-2023, the South Coast Tourism Belt, and its leap towards becoming a global tourism hub.

In the subsequent open discussion, Jeollanam-do Province appealed for active promotion and support from the KoreaJapan coastal regions to successfully host the 2025 Mokpo International Namdo Gastronomy Industry Forum and the 2026 Yeosu World Island Exhibition.

In addition to the common theme presentations, a joint statement was issued based on the various opinions shared and discussed during the meeting.

Governor Kim Young-rok, in his welcoming remarks at the meeting, mentioned the 25th anniversary of the “Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration of 1998,” stating, “I’m hoping that the eight cities and provinces of Korea and Japan will open a second era of Kim Dae-jungKeizo Obuchi, inheriting the spirit of reconciliation, peace, coexistence, and cooperation in the KoreaJapan relationship.”

He emphasized, “Jeollanam-do is fully committed to establishing the ‘Southern Coast Marine Tourism Belt,’ sharing the future vision of the South Coast with Busan, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju Island.” He expressed his hopes for expanding this vision to the “Korea-Japan Global Marine Tourism Belt,” contributing to the activation of human, material, and cultural exchanges between Korea and Japan. Governor Kim also said, “With this momentum, we plan to launch the ‘Jeollanam-do World Tourism and Culture Expo’ project from 2024 to 2026,” and appealed for a great deal of attention and support for the grand global festival that will unfold in Jeollanam-do, linked with various international tourism and cultural events.

Governor Seitaro Hattori from Fukuoka Prefecture, representing Japan, said, “The leaders of the eight Korean and Japanese local governments are gathered in one place to promote exchanges and lay the foundation for friendly relations between the two countries.” He added, “The theme of this meeting, tourism activation, is to prepare for the increased post-COVID tourism demand. Let the eight cities and provinces share their wisdom to make this a fruitful meeting.”

On the 31st, there are plans to visit the Suncheonman International Garden Expo and the Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye.

The Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting has been taking place alternately between Korea and Japan since the first meeting in Jeju in 1992. It serves as a practical exchange platform for substantive exchanges between local governments of both countries by conducting annual working and preparatory meetings.

◇ Photo Descriptions
(Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting 1)
During the 31st Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting held at Sono Calm Yeosu on the afternoon of the 30th, the governors from both countries are taking a commemorative photo. (From left) Kim Hee-hyun, Vice Governor for Political Affairs of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province; Park Wan-soo, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Province; Tsugumasa Muraoka, Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture; Kim Yung-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do Province; Seitaro Hattori, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture; Kengo Oishi, Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture; Yuji Ochiai, Deputy Governor of Saga Prefecture; and Park Heong-joon, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City.

(Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting 2)
Governor Kim Young-rok of Jeollanam-do Province is giving a welcoming speech during the 31st Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting held at Sono Calm Yeosu on the afternoon of the 30th.

(Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting 3)
During the 31st Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting held at Sono Calm Yeosu on the afternoon of the 30th, the governors from both countries are holding the joint statement and taking a commemorative photo. (From left) Tsugumasa Muraoka, Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture; Park Wan-soo, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Province; Yuji Ochiai, Deputy Governor of Saga Prefecture; Kim Yung-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do Province; Seitaro Hattori, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture; Park Heong-joon, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City; Kengo Oishi, Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture; and Kim Hee-hyun, Vice Governor for Political Affairs of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

(Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting 4)
Governor Kim Yung-rok of Jeollanam-do Province is announcing the joint statement during the 31st Korea-Japan Coastal Regions Exchange Governors' Meeting held at Sono Calm Yeosu on the afternoon of the 30th.