KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Guro District in Seoul have reaffirmed their longstanding friendship by renewing their existing collaboration and mutual development.
MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Deputy Mayor Datuk Zaiedi Suhaili and Senior Assistant Secretary Lilian Liew paid a courtesy call on Guro District Mayor Jang In-hong at the Guro District Office on Sept 25 in conjunction with the 2025 Guro G-Festival themed Harmony.
Wee expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and highlighted the strong ties forged since 2013, citing milestones such as the Youth and Cultural Exchange Programme introduced in 2015, which has promoted cross-cultural understanding through performances at both the Kuching Festival and the Guro Festival.
On the economic front, Wee recalled the establishment of the Guro–Kuching South Business Council in 2019 as a foundation for business networking, skills transfer, and knowledge sharing, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to revitalising it to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Symbolic gestures have also cemented the relationship, including Guro’s naming of “Kuching South-ro” in 2022 and Kuching South’s dedication of “Jalan Guro” as a tribute to their enduring friendship.
Wee further highlighted Kuching South’s growing international recognition, including its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2021 and its candidacy for UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative and the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities, noting that these achievements would pave the way for deeper collaboration with Guro in culture, sustainability, youth development, and urban innovation.
Jang welcomed the renewed partnership as a celebration of friendship and a platform for new exchanges, while Wee congratulated Guro on its successful annual G-Festival and expressed confidence that both cities would continue strengthening cultural ties and people-to-people connections.
The meeting ended with both leaders reaffirming their shared vision of prosperity, harmony, and progress for their communities.
