Gyeongju, Versailles look to deepen ties ahead of 40th anniversary of sister-city pact

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province and Versailles, France, are expanding exchanges across culture, tourism and other areas ahead of the 40th anniversary of their sister-city relationship in 2027.

A Gyeongju delegation led by Mayor Ju Nak-young visited Versailles on Friday (local time) to discuss ways to broaden cooperation between the two cities, the city said Monday.

Gyeongju and Versailles established their sister-city partnership in 1987, united by their shared identity as historic cultural tourism destinations representing South Korea and France respectively. Since then, the two cities have built a friendly cooperative relationship through ongoing exchanges in culture, tourism, youth programs and sports.

Gyeongju has also been expanding exchanges with its overseas sister and friendship cities, building on the heightened international profile it gained from hosting the 2025 APEC Summit last year.

After wrapping up their schedule in Versailles, the delegation traveled to the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, where they attended a temple food demonstration held in conjunction with the "Korea on Stage in Paris" event.

At the center's hansik experience hall, a temple food demonstration and lecture introduced local participants to the value and traditions of Korean temple cuisine.

Alongside this, programs promoting South Korea's diverse cultural heritage were also on offer, including exhibitions on national heritage, traditional arts performances and hands-on heritage experiences.

"Gyeongju and Versailles have maintained a friendship of nearly 40 years rooted in history and cultural heritage," Mayor Ju said. "We will continue to expand exchanges and cooperation across culture, tourism and other areas as we mark the 40th anniversary of our sister-city relationship next year."