On August 29, the National Assembly Research Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council at the main conference hall in Jeju Provincial Council.

The MoU comes at a time when the role of provincial councils is gaining importance. This makes signing of an MoU between the National Assembly's think tank and the only self-governing province of South Korea all the more meaningful. Both parties agreed on mutual cooperation and information and personnel exchanges.

Earlier this year in the New Year's policy briefing to Chung Sye-kyun, Speaker of the National Assembly, the NARS pledged to contribute to development of provincial council's policy capacity. In a bid to bring about development of provincial councils, the NARS signed this MoU and is expecting to play a crucial role in building a constructive win-win relationship between the National Assembly and provincial councils.

Under the MoU the two parties agreed and plan to 1) hold joint research studies and seminars on major issues, 2) exchange legislative information and relevant publications, 3) exchange personnel to strengthen professionalism and advance mutual understandings, and 4) carry out further mutual cooperation programs.

Dr. Lee Nae Young, Chief of NARS, made remarks at the signing ceremony. "Today's agreement will open up opportunities for Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council in developing policies which reinforces decentralization and for the NARS in conducting in-depth research on local governments," he said. Dr. Lee went on to add," NARS will continue to commit itself to pursue practical cooperation with the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council."

NARS plans to further establish its cooperative ties with other provincial councils.