Shin Sang-jin, the mayor of Seongnam, has embarked on a practical approach to local diplomacy by expanding defense, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges with Wrocław, Poland, following the establishment of a sister city relationship.
The initiative aims to lay the groundwork for local businesses to enter international markets, enhance Seongnam's industrial competitiveness, and create tangible benefits for its citizens.
Mayor Shin visited Wrocław from October 8 to 11, where he signed a sister city agreement.
This visit focused on establishing a practical cooperation framework that goes beyond fostering friendship between the cities, targeting the overseas market entry of Seongnam companies, creating economic opportunities, and expanding exchanges in culture and sports.
"If diplomacy between nations paves the way for security and economic cooperation, it is the responsibility of local governments to achieve results on the ground," Mayor Shin emphasized.
A notable outcome of this visit was the establishment of a foundation for cooperation in the defense sector.
The Seongnam Industry Promotion Agency and the Polish Defense Industry Association signed a memorandum of understanding to lay the groundwork for economic and industrial collaboration between the two regions.
The defense export briefing held locally attracted officials from various parts of Poland, and interest in Seongnam defense companies has increased, with inquiries continuing after the event.
In particular, discussions were held on introducing training systems and related technologies for school shooting exercises from Seongnam into local educational settings in Poland, where security demands have risen due to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war.
These collaborations are significant as they connect local companies' technological capabilities with overseas markets and seek new export opportunities.
Kim Deok-geun, chairman of the Seongnam Defense Industry Council, stated, "Seongnam City has played a buffering role between the state and the private sector. Given that Polish partners treated Seongnam defense companies as true partners, we expect even more active exchanges in the future."
Mayor Shin is also working to strengthen the city's brand through cultural and artistic exchanges.
On October 10, he participated in the '1st 2026 Korean Day Festival' at the Centennial Hall Convention Center in Wrocław, the only local government from South Korea to do so, showcasing Korean culture and the cultural and artistic capabilities of Seongnam.
The event, organized by the Polish Korean Association, attracted nearly 10,000 visitors.
The Seongnam Municipal Gugak Orchestra performed seven pieces, including the folk music ensemble 'Sinawi' and a percussion solo 'Seoljanggu,' captivating local audiences with the charm of traditional Korean music.
At the K-Food event, dishes like tteokbokki and ramen sold out, and local attendees showed great interest in Korean culture by enjoying random play dance to K-Pop.
Mayor Shin remarked, "It was impressive to see so many citizens attending the first Korean Day event in Poland, showing a strong interest in our culture. Cultural and artistic exchanges are vital means for different cities and citizens to share hearts and build friendships."
The two cities also shared experiences in operating citizen soccer clubs and effective management strategies.
Mayor Shin plans to expand cooperation in various fields, including culture, arts, and sports, based on this sister city relationship.
Jacek Sutryk, the mayor of Wrocław, told Mayor Shin, "True partners are not formed through paperwork. They are built through direct meetings and eye contact, establishing solid trust."
This highlights the importance of city-to-city cooperation going beyond formal agreements to foster direct communication and trust, leading to tangible results.
Shin Sang-jin emphasized, "Seongnam City will continue to be an active local government that expands practical exchanges in various fields, including economy, industry, culture, arts, and sports, through our sister city relationship with Wrocław."
Meanwhile, Mayor Shin plans to enhance economic, cultural, and sports exchanges with Wrocław to support businesses' overseas expansion, improve citizens' quality of life, and strengthen the city's competitiveness.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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