Sakai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, held a signing ceremony for a "Friendship City Agreement" with Boryeong City, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea, on May 8, 2026 (Friday) in Boryeong City.
About the Friendship City Agreement Signing Ceremony
Ceremony Overview Date and Time: May 8, 2026 (Friday) from 16:00 Location: Boryeong City Hall (269-4 Myeongcheon-dong, Boryeong-si, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea) Attendees: Masahiro Hashimoto (Mayor of Sakai Town), Isao Kuramochi (Chairman of Sakai Town Council), Kim Dong-il (Mayor of Boryeong City), Jang Jin-won (Vice Mayor of Boryeong City), and others.
Agenda: Introduction of attendees, background and content of the friendship city agreement, signing, welcome speech by the Mayor of Boryeong, speech by the Mayor of Sakai, and group photo.
Mayor Kim Dong-il stated, "I felt a deep sense of trust in the passion and hospitality of the people of Sakai Town, which led to today's agreement. I look forward to deepening cooperation in a wide range of fields including administration, tourism, and youth exchange."
Mayor Masahiro Hashimoto said, "I am confident that by connecting Sakai Town with Boryeong City, an attractive international city, we will create great possibilities for the future. I want to create a future together where children who will carry the future of Japan and South Korea can nurture friendships and fly out into the world."
After the signing ceremony, a commemorative tree-planting ceremony was held, and cherry trees were planted in the Boryeong Mugunghwa Arboretum. A dinner party was subsequently held to further deepen exchanges. On May 9 (Saturday), two members of the Sakai Town delegation participated as runners in the "Boryeong Mud Seaside Marathon." They also visited the Boryeong Chungcheong Suyeongseong Fortress to deepen their understanding of the city's history, culture, and tourism resources.
History of Exchange between Sakai Town and Boryeong City Boryeong City is the hometown of Choi Jong-sik, CEO of KJC Co., Ltd., which has a comprehensive partnership agreement with Sakai Town. Building on this connection, exchanges have been ongoing since the first visit by Boryeong City to Sakai Town in October 2024.
- Oct 9-10, 2024: Boryeong City delegation visited Sakai Town for the first time to observe community development policies. - Dec 24-25, 2024: Sakai Town delegation visited Boryeong City and participated in the "Daecheon Winter Sea Love Festival." - July 25-27, 2025: Sakai Town participated in the "Boryeong Mud Festival 2025." - Sept 13, 2025: Invited 9 officials from Boryeong City, including Mayor Kim, to the Sakai Town "Tone River Fireworks Festival."
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Partnership