SEOUL / ANDONG — In a move to strengthen educational ties between South Korea and Japan, Gyeongsangbuk-do has announced a permanent framework for university-level collaboration with Nara Prefecture. The initiative serves as a direct follow-up to the bilateral summit previously held in Andong.

A joint delegation—representing Gyeongsangbuk-do, the Gyeongbuk Anchor Center, and the Korea-Japan Future Talent Cooperation Center at Yeungnam University—recently concluded a four-day visit to Nara Prefecture. During the trip, officials met with representatives from the Nara Prefectural Government and five major academic institutions, including the National University Corporation Nara (encompassing Nara Women’s University and Nara University of Education), Nara Prefectural University, Nara University, and Tenri University.

The discussions focused on establishing a sustainable cooperative network, which includes setting up regular video-conferencing channels and developing joint educational programs. Both regions aim to leverage their respective industrial and academic resources to cultivate specialized global talent.

As part of this ongoing effort, the newly formed "Korea-Japan University Exchange and Cooperation Delegation" will operate on an ongoing basis. Furthermore, Gyeongsangbuk-do will host the inaugural "Korea-Japan University Talent Cooperation International Forum" in 2027, with future events rotating between the two regional governments.

Local universities in Gyeongsangbuk-do have previously engaged with Nara institutions through student exchanges, joint research, and academic seminars. Provincial authorities plan to scale up these localized efforts into a comprehensive, region-wide global talent pipeline.

"Following the historic summit in Andong, subnational diplomacy between our two nations is more critical than ever," said Lee Sang-soo, Director-General of Local Government Strategy for Gyeongsangbuk-do. "This partnership marks a vital milestone in building a university-driven, government-backed ecosystem for global talent."

Lee emphasized that the initiative will extend beyond traditional academic and cultural exchanges, ultimately fostering collaborative networks among industry, academia, and research institutions to supply skilled professionals for strategic sectors.

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