Shin Sang-jin, the mayor of Seongnam, emphasized the need to expand economic and cultural exchanges with Wrocław.
On October 10, during the inaugural '2026 Korean Day Festival' held in Wrocław, Poland, Mayor Shin promoted traditional Korean culture and expressed a commitment to enhancing cooperation between the two cities while engaging with local dignitaries.
With the sister city agreement with Wrocław, Mayor Shin aims to broaden collaboration from a focus on economic and industrial ties to include cultural, artistic, and sports exchanges, thereby strengthening Seongnam's global competitiveness.
Seongnam was the only South Korean municipality participating in the event, drawing significant attention.
The Seongnam Municipal Traditional Music Ensemble performed a total of seven pieces, including the folk music ensemble 'Sinawi,' a percussion solo 'Seoljanggu,' and a children's ensemble piece 'Orbit of Delusion.'
The 1,000-seat venue was filled with an audience, and over 5,000 visitors attended the K-Food Festival held at the event, showcasing strong local interest.
During the opening ceremony, Mayor Shin stated, "This year marks the 37th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Poland, and in April, we established a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in our cooperation." He added, "I hope that Seongnam and Wrocław will continue to engage in active exchanges across various fields, including culture and the arts."
Earlier, on October 9, Mayor Shin signed a sister city agreement with Wrocław Mayor Jacek Sutryk.
This marks the first sister city agreement between Seongnam and a European city.
An agreement was also signed between the Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency and the Polish Defense Industry Association, laying the groundwork for local companies to enter the European market and collaborate in the defense industry.
Mayor Shin also attended a press briefing organized by the South Korean Embassy in Poland, where he shared plans to expand cooperation between the two countries and reiterated his commitment to promoting practical exchanges in advanced industries, economy, and culture with Wrocław.
Mayor Shin remarked, "Culture and the arts serve as an important bridge for different cities and citizens to share their hearts and build friendships," adding, "Through the sister city agreement with Wrocław, we will expand practical exchanges not only in the economy and industry but also in culture, arts, and sports."
Meanwhile, Mayor Shin plans to support local companies' overseas expansion based on the cooperative relationship established during this visit, while also promoting industrial competitiveness and cultural exchange.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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