The cities of Daejeon and Durban have signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize their close links in a new sister city relationship.

The MOU with the South African city will assist in building partnerships between the local governments and in the private and civil sectors.

In the agreement, both parties made a commitment to work together to create strong economic links, cooperate in areas such as science and technology, education and industry, and encourage exchanges in sport and culture.

Daejeon mayor Yum Hong-chul said that Durban has a special place in the hearts of many Koreans because it was there that PyeongChang was announced as the host of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Yum added that Durban is a lucky city for Korea, noting that the South Korean national soccer team reached the quarter-finals in Durban during last year’s FIFA Soccer World Cup.

As the nation’s fifth largest city and the capital of South Chungcheong Province, Daejeon has signed 11 sister agreements with cities all over the world. 

(yoav@heraldcorp.com)