Secretary-General LIM Byung-jin visited the Pohang City Hall on Febraury16 and met with Mayor LEE Kang-deok. Mr. Lim expressed gratitude for Pohang City's continuous interest and support for the Secretariat's operating expenses. He also assured that NEAR would actively support the international events such as the Northeast Asia CEO Economic Cooperation Forum and Conference of Major Cities in the East Sea Rim Region, hosted by Pohang City.

Mayor Lee congratulated Mr.Lim on his appointment and expressed a special affection for NEAR, describing it as an important international organization for promoting exchange and cooperation among local governments in Northeast Asia, with the NEAR Secretariat located in Pohang. He also stated that NEAR's platform would be actively utilized for international exchange and event promotion in Pohang in the future, and asked for much help from NEAR.

Mr. Lim visited the Pohang City Council and met with Chairman BAEK In-gyu, and sought active interest and support for NEAR's activities from the Pohang City Counsel as well.