Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | The Jolla Bukdo Special Self-Government Province has set out to expand talent exchange and policy cooperation with Uzbekistan. The Korean provincial government has received a training delegation of high-ranking officials from the central and local governments of Uzbekistan and shared support policies for international students as well as examples of digital administrative innovation.

Jeolla Bukdo Special Self-Government Province announced on June 11-13 that high-ranking officials from central and local governments, including Rustam Karimzonov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technology of Uzbekistan, visited the provincial office to meet with Governor Kim Kwan-young and share Jeonbuk Province's major policies and examples of administrative innovation.

This visit was organized as part of the "Uzbekistan Local Administration Capacity Building Course" operated by the Korea Institute for Local Government Human Resource Development.
In particular, it was pursued with the purpose of sharing excellent administrative practices and policy experiences from Korean local governments and expanding the foundation for mutual cooperation in conjunction with the Uzbekistan's 2030 Development Strategy, which serves as the blueprint for Uzbekistan's national development. On this day, the delegation listened to explanations regarding the integrated support policy for international students and the administrative innovation system utilizing generative artificial intelligence (AI) currently being promoted by Jeolla Bukdo Special Self-Governing Province and exchanged opinions on operational achievements and future development directions.

The Jeolla Buk-do Province introduced an integrated support system designed to help international students settle stably into the local community, from admission to employment and permanent residence.
Furthermore, the province presented the possibility of expanding human exchange with Uzbekistan by explaining its global talent development policy linking universities with local industries, along with strategies to attract outstanding overseas talent.

In particular, the Uzbekistani side, which is pursuing the development of the digital industry as a core national strategy, showed keen interest in Jeonbuk Province's support policies for international students, regional settlement programs, and examples of digital-based administrative innovation, asking a variety of questions.

Following this, the Jeolla Bukdo Province introduced its generative AI administrative system, which it developed and is currently operating in-house--a first among metropolitan local governments.
This system is utilized in various fields, including the drafting of official documents, the search and analysis of policy data, and support for administrative tasks, and is recognized as an innovative example that simultaneously ensures administrative efficiency and security.

Governor Kim Kwan-young of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province said, "I hope that the Jeolla Bukdo Province's support policies for international students and examples of AI-based administrative innovation will contribute to talent development and the advancement of digital administration in Uzbekistan." Then he added, "We will continue to expand personnel exchanges and policy cooperation between the two regions to create a mutually beneficial cooperation model."

This visit is expected to serve as an opportunity to further strengthen local administrative cooperation and talent exchange between Korea and Uzbekistan. Both sides plan to continuously explore practical cooperation measures in the fields of education, digital technology, and administrative innovation.