Gangwon State announced that it is hosting a three-day Korea-Japan university student cultural exchange program in Gangneung from September 14 to 16, bringing together 45 students from both regions to foster friendship and rediscover the value of regional areas under the theme "Rediscovering Local Regions and Sustainable Regional Vitalization."

Co-hosted by Gangwon State and its sister region Tottori Prefecture in Japan, and jointly organized by Gangwon National University's Gangneung Campus and Tottori University, this program has a rich history dating back to 2019. Even during the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two regions kept their cooperative ties alive through online interactions. With this year designated as both "Gangwon Visit Year" and "Gangneung Visit Year," the program has returned to an offline format, expanding face-to-face engagement on location in Gangneung.

The core highlight of the event takes place on September 15 with a joint Korea-Japan seminar. Five university and graduate students from both nations will take part in discussions to compare demographic and economic challenges faced by their respective regions. Through these sessions, the youth will explore innovative solutions for local development from a fresh perspective.

Following the seminar, participants will engage in regional cultural exploration programs to experience Gangneung’s arts, culture, and tourism infrastructure firsthand. The itinerary includes a visit to the Gangneung Danoje Education Center to learn about the significance of a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as stops at the Gangneung Cultural Foundation and the Gangneung Convention Center. By examining these local institutions, the students will reinterpret regional heritage and contemplate youth-led initiatives for community revitalization.

Kim Young-gyun, Director of International Relations for Gangwon State, noted that this exchange was made possible through close cooperation between Japanese local governments and universities, alongside domestic organizations such as Gangwon National University's Gangneung Campus and the City of Gangneung. He emphasized that building upon these robust local networks will allow Gangwon youth to grow on a broader global stage through expanded international exchange opportunities.

To further understand the context of this long-standing partnership, it is helpful to look at the broader relationship between Gangwon State and Tottori Prefecture. Established as sister states, Gangwon and Tottori have maintained a dynamic relationship characterized by administrative exchanges, economic cooperation, and youth programs. Tottori Prefecture, located in the Chugoku region of Japan, shares structural similarities with Gangwon State, such as facing rapid population aging and regional depopulation. Because both regions grapple with the challenges of balancing metropolitan centralization with sustainable local economies, initiatives like the youth cultural exchange serve as a vital laboratory for grassroots diplomacy and policy brainstorming.

The focus on "regional revitalization" or "chihou sousousei" (regional creation) has become a primary policy objective for both South Korea and Japan as regional areas confront declining birth rates and youth migration to capital cities. By empowering university students to analyze these issues through joint seminars and field research, the program moves beyond traditional tourism-based exchanges. Students do not merely observe local culture; they actively evaluate how municipal institutions manage tourism, preserve intangible heritage, and leverage cultural assets to attract young populations.

Looking forward, Gangwon State plans to leverage these international youth networks to build resilient global competencies among its students. As regional governments increasingly recognize that international diplomacy begins at the community level, programs connecting localized universities like Gangwon National University and Tottori University offer a blueprint for sustainable cross-border cooperation. Through continuous dialogue and shared problem-solving, the 45 participating students are laying the groundwork for a resilient partnership that transcends borders, proving that regional areas possess unique cultural and economic values worth preserving and reinventing for future generations.

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