KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) officially launched Guro Street today (July 31), marking another milestone in its longstanding friendship with South Korea’s Guro District after more than a decade of cooperation.
Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the naming of Guro Street reciprocated Guro District’s earlier gesture of establishing Kuching South-ro in 2022, reflecting mutual respect and strengthening bilateral ties between both cities.
“This is not merely putting up a road sign. It is creating a lasting symbol of the friendship between our people,” he said during the launching of Guro Street at Travillion (next to HSBC), Jalan Padungan.
Wee said every individual passing through Guro Street would be reminded that despite the geographical distance separating Malaysia and the Republic of Korea, friendship continued to bring both communities closer together.
He explained that the partnership began in 2012 when a delegation from Guro District first visited Kuching South, eventually leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between both cities in 2013.
Since then, both cities have maintained close cooperation through regular exchanges involving culture, education, youth programmes, tourism promotion, sports activities, business networking, and other people-to-people initiatives over thirteen years.
Wee said these consistent exchanges had enabled residents from both cities to appreciate different cultures, strengthen understanding, and build friendships extending well beyond formal government engagements and official visits.
He also welcomed Guro’s delegation led by Mayor Jang Inhong and Chairman Kim Chulsoo, expressing appreciation for their continued commitment towards strengthening the special relationship with Kuching South.
“The participation of Guro’s K-pop performance team in this year’s Kuching Festival was another meaningful cultural exchange warmly embraced by the local community,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wee said both cities were exploring the establishment of the Kuching-Guro Business Council to strengthen entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, promote investment opportunities, and expand economic collaboration between business communities.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would continue creating opportunities in education, technology, tourism, creative industries, smart city development and sustainable urban planning, ensuring lasting benefits for future generations.
