By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

Incheon City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Korea Aida Ismailova at the City Hall reception room on February 20, the Incheon Metropolitan City announced.

This meeting was held at the request of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with Ambassador Aida Ismailova to express Incheon's determination to achieve the status of a world-class city and discuss ways to enhance exchanges between the two cities.

In the past, Incheon has conducted medical treatments and local examinations for 55 children with heart disease from Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, through the Asia Exchange City Medical Support Project in collaboration with local medical institutions.

Mayor Yoo said, "The Kyrgyz Republic is a key cooperation partner that can serve as a gateway to Central Asia as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and I hope for the establishment of friendship between Incheon and the Kyrgyz Republic and the expansion of cooperation in various fields such as education and medicine."

In response, Ambassador Aida Ismailova stated, "Incheon is a global city with infinite capabilities, and we will continue to strive for multifaceted cooperation and mutual development between Incheon and Kyrgyzstan."

Through this meeting, Incheon City expressed its determination to leap into one of the world's top 10 cities by actively pursuing exchanges and cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic for mutual development, while also expressing its intention to host the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the Incheon Renaissance Master Plan, and the New Hong Kong City Project.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan, bordered by Central Asia and China, is often referred to as the Switzerland of Central Asia due to its predominantly mountainous terrain. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, diplomatic relations with South Korea were established in 1992, marking the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Since June of last year, direct flights between Incheon and Bishkek have been in operation.