– British Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker and others visited Sejong City –

– Mayor Choi Min-ho discusses ways to cooperate in innovative fields such as intelligent cities –

 

 

Sejong Special Self-Governing City (Mayor Choi Min-ho) is in earnest cooperation with Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, in the UK, in innovative fields such as intelligent cities (smart cities).

Choi Min-ho, mayor of Sejong City, had a conversation with Steve Baker, British Cabinet Secretary for Northern Ireland, in the reception room at City Hall on the 7th.

This interview was prepared according to the 'Korea-UK Innovation Twins Project' being pursued by the British government, and they discussed ways to cooperate in innovative fields such as intelligent cities, transportation (mobility), and support for sprout companies (startups) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Through one-on-one exchanges between Korean and British cities, which started in June of last year at the suggestion of the British government, the city is seeking mutual cooperation for economic development and solving urban problems, such as exchanges of current status of intelligent cities, promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, and entry into the three-country market.

In March, the two cities signed a letter of intent for cooperation related to the intelligent city industry and promoted various communication with the city of Belfast, such as introducing small and medium-sized enterprises.

The two cities expect to achieve synergistic effects by sharing information in various innovative fields such as intelligent cities, science and technology, urban development, and trade and investment through cooperative projects and forming mutually complementary relationships.

In preparation for the 'International Garden Expo' scheduled to be held in 2025, it plans to strengthen cooperation with garden cities such as London and Warminster, and to share advanced education policies of both cities by linking with renowned universities such as Queen's University.

Mayor Choi Min-ho said, “Belfast City is the most important partner of Sejong City in the UK, and we will establish an official friendly cooperative relationship in the future and promote practical cooperation projects in various fields.”

Prior to the meeting, Minister Baker and Northern Ireland Trade and Investment officials visited the Sejong City Techno Park Industry-University-Research Cluster facility to test drive autonomous vehicles and exchange opinions on related policies.

Meanwhile, Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is one of the youngest cities in Europe and is achieving urban development centered on digital, finance, and advanced engineering.

Recently, it has been selected as a Pioneer City, expanding urban productivity through the creation of innovative and smart districts.

☞  Source: Sejong City