Decentralized cooperation between France and South Korea - Meeting with GAOK

On April 4, 2018, Catherine GERMIER-HAMEL, Founder & CEO of Millennium Destinations had a meeting with Sophia PARK, Senior Manager at the Glocal Empowerment Department of the Governors Association of Korea (GAOK).

Together, they evoked twinning projects and agreements between French and Korean local authorities, and how sustainable tourism development could add value and bring benefits to local communities within this framework. 

As of today, 13 twinning / sister cities agreements have been signed between French and Korean cities and regions/provinces: ​Rouen (Normandy) and Jeju cities (2004), Nice (Côte d'Azur) and Daejeon Cities (2005), Limoges and Ichon Cities (2015), Aquitaine Region and North Gyeongsang  Province (2011), Alsace Region and North Gyeongsang  Province (1999), Megeve Commune (Auvergne- Rhône-Alpes) and Taebaek City (Gangwon Province) (2008), Evian Commune (Auvergne- Rhône-Alpes) and Muju County (North Jeolla Province)  (2010), Ile-de-France Region and Gyeonggi Province (2016), Versailles (Ile-de-France) and Gyeongju (North Gyeongsang  Province) Cities ​(1987), Issy-lès-Moulineaux City (Ile-de-France) and Guro district (Seoul Metropolitan City) (2005), Paris and Seoul Metropolitan Cities (1991), Nantes (Pays de la Loire) and Suncheon (South Jeolla Province) Cities (2009), and Sanary-sur-Mer City (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur) and Hongcheon County (Gangwon Province) (1986). 

GAOK was established in 1999 to contribute to the balanced development of regions nation-wide as well as foster healthy local autonomy through promotion of mutual exchange and cooperation among metropolitan cities and provinces, discussion on matters of common interest and support on local government international affairs.

In January 2016 France’s region structure changed so the country now has 13 regions instead of the previous 22. Source: http://www.completefrance.com/home/discover-france-s-new-regions-and-capitals-1-4604961

Korea's provinces. Source: Invest Korea