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| Incheon Mayor Song Young-gil |
By Cho Jae-hyon
Incheon Mayor Song Young-gil is confident of North Korea's participation in the Asian Games to be held in the western port city next year.
"I'm 100 percent sure of North Korea's participation. We've been talking with the North using all the routes and channels we have," Song, 50, said in an interview.
His optimism is based on the relatively "close relationship" that the city of Incheon has with the North.
Song said its professional football team Incheon United FC runs a factory manufacturing football boots in the Chinese border city of Dandong.
"With the exception of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, it is the only factory jointly run (by South and North Korea). We have hired 25 North Koreans to work in the factory that's been running for two years," Song said.
"For Incheon, which is geographically close to the North, a smooth relationship between the South and North is essential in order to draw foreign tourists and investors."
To attract more players from a larger number of Asian countries, Song has been meeting with top government officials and international sports organizations.
Earlier this week, he visited Jordan and other Middle Eastern nations to promote the games and solicit their support in getting the North to participate in them.
"All preparations, including the construction of stadiums, are proceeding well," Song said.
He said the city has picked about 1,000 collegians from 45 nations to train as ambassadors for the games that will run from Sept. 19 to Oct.
4.
"These supporters will travel across Asian nations this summer to learn more about the countries.
They will have opportunities to experience and learn about the culture of the nations participating in the games," Song said.
Through such programs, he said, the young supporters will grow into valuable assets not only for the city but also for the country.
"Events will pass, but human resources will remain. The supporters' program is to provide them with an opportunity to make all Asian nations their future market." On top of the Asian Games, another huge impetus to grow Incheon into a truly international city is the successful hosting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
This is one of the biggest achievements of the mayor in his efforts to attract the new UN body that manages billions of dollars to help developing nations combat climate change.
"The hosting of the GCF will be a huge leap forward for Incheon," Song said.
It has already completed the construction of the GCF building in Songdo, with the fourth GCF board committee meeting taking place later this month to pick its general secretary.
Song, fluent in English and several other languages, is making the most of this proficiency to pitch Incheon as an ideal home for international organizations.
"I will do my best to attract the World Bank branch to Incheon. As the World Bank will manage GCF funds, it's ideal for the two bodies to work in the same area," Song said.
Since taking office in July, 2010, Song has put a greater focus on attracting foreign investment.
Thanks to his efforts, the city accounted for nearly one fifth of the nation's total inbound foreign direct investment last year, only after Seoul..
"I will leave no stone unturned to attract more foreign investment as I know it is the key to overcoming our budget deficits and creating more jobs," Song said.
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