By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Kim Chun-gon, a member of the Seoul City Council's Environment and Water Resources Committee, met with Ambassador Aida Ismailova of Kyrgyzstan to Korea to discuss revitalizing the wellness industry between the two countries.

Rep. Kim met Ambassador Ismailova when she was a member of the Kyrgyz National Assembly in 2018 and reunited with her seven years later when she was appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan in 2022.

"Korea and Kyrgyzstan are striving to further activate exchanges in the future, and there are many areas for mutual cooperation in the wellness industry, so I am planning to visit Kyrgyzstan with members of the research group," Kim explained.

In response, Ambassador Ismailova said, "In the first half of this year, we will organize a seminar to introduce the culture of Kyrgyzstan and its attractive nature and we hope that the Seoul City Council will be interested and participate."

Meanwhile, the meeting between members of the Seoul City Council's research group and the Kyrgyz Ambassador to the Republic of Korea will be finalized through further consultations, including a detailed schedule and outline.

Council member Kim has long been committed to friendship and cultural exchanges between Korea and Central Asia, carrying out such activities as Korean language competitions, international academic seminars, and support for the Korean people in Central Asia.

In Kyrgyzstan, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Aravayev National University and an honorary professor from the Kyrgyz National University of Economics.