Wheeling commits to educational exhange with South Korean city

Dignitaries from Suncheon, South Korea visited Wheeling Friday morning for a ceremony to bring the two cities, which are separated by 6,657 miles, closer.

Wheeling Village President Dean Argiris and Jae Young Cheon, the deputy mayor of Suncheon signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their commitment to support exchanges in education.

"We're eager to see positive impact from these exchanges on the livelihood of residents from both our communities," Argiris said.

Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Solex College and Harper College are among the educational institutions talking with Suncheon officials about setting up exchange programs.

The village of Wheeling also renamed South Drive - at the southern end of Capitol Commerce Drive near the Palatine Road frontage road - to Suncheon Drive.

Argiris had high praise for Suncheon, saying that the city of around 250,000 was the most beautiful, serene and gorgeous city he'd ever seen. Argiris and other Wheeling dignitaries visited the city, located in the southern region of South Korea, last October.

Through a translator, Cheon thanked the village of Wheeling for dedicating a street to Suncheon and said he hopes they continue their good relationship for the mutual benefit of both cities.