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An APEC-themed cultural exchange event took place at the Memorial Hall of Choe Chiwon in Yangzhou on Jan 29, with Lee Won-shik, the former mayor of Gyeongju, attending with his delegation.
A statue of Choe Chiwon, a friendship envoy of Sino-Korean cultural exchange, stands at a memorial hall in Yangzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: yangzhou-fabu]
At the event, a Yangzhou official reviewed the cultural ties between Yangzhou and Gyeongju, building on the legacy of Choe Chiwon, a Korean philosopher and poet.
When he was 12, Choe left Silla, his birthplace in Gyeongju. He pursued his studies in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and served as an official in Yangzhou. Later, he brought Chinese culture, including Han poetry and Confucianism, back to his homeland, penning a brilliant chapter in the history of Sino-Korean cultural exchange.
Yangzhou and Gyeongju, which became sister-cities in 2008, have achieved fruitful cooperation results. In August 2025, a Yangzhou delegation visited Gyeongju for an event celebrating 33 years of China-ROK relations, paving the way for the success of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
Lee said his visit this time was not just about sharing Gyeongju's experience of hosting APEC but also honoring Choe by enhancing the friendship between the two cities.
He also conveyed Gyeongju mayor Joo Nak-young's gratitude for Yangzhou's support during the APEC activities, along with his excitement for their continued cooperation.
