Joongang Ilbo, a leading South Korean national newspaper, ran a special feature on March 5, titled “NEAR, a Grassroots Exchange Organization for Six Countries, Lowers Walls of Enmity in Northeast Asia.” It introduced the roles and vision of NEAR, which is leading international exchange among regional governments of six Northeast Asian countries.

Joongang Ilbo reported, through interviews with Secretary General Kim Ok-chae and other staff, that it was short-sighted for NEAR members to focus on actual profit. Instead, the continuation of grassroots exchange and cooperation in non-political areas between local governments was most important in Northeast Asia, a region that is experiencing political and diplomatic conflict and confrontation.

The article also stated that member governments should utilize NEAR more actively as NEAR is a platform that is able to serve as a UN for regional governments in Northeast Asia, ultimately serving to unify the region.