(Hongseong=Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong Yun-deok = On the 17th, the South Chungcheong Province announced that Governor Kim Tae-heum embarked on a six-day, four-night trip to Laos to attract seasonal workers and strengthen exchanges and cooperation, including support for ambulances, patrol cars, and computers. Governor Kim is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone for the first time in two years on the 18th, and then discuss expanding cooperation in the field of smart agriculture and livestock and ways to promote personnel exchanges with Minister of Agriculture and Environment Linhkam Duangsavanh. He will also share issues and seek improvement measures for the promotion of seasonal worker exchanges with Minister of Labor and Welfare Phousith Saiyasone, hear about the utilization status of items supported by South Chungcheong Province, such as ambulances, patrol cars, and computers, and exchange opinions on future plans. On the 19th, he will talk about smart agricultural cooperation with Governor Suntannu Thammalavong of Bolikhamxay Province. A provincial official said, "South Chungcheong Province receives many seasonal workers from Laos, and Laos has been improving its safety, security, and information capabilities with support from South Chungcheong Province, maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship. Governor Kim's visit will be an opportunity to review past cooperation projects, explore ways to expand and develop them, and make new commitments." South Chungcheong Province signed an agreement to activate exchanges and strengthen friendly cooperation with Laos in December 2022. Since then, the province has attracted a total of 2,712 Laotian seasonal workers in 2023, 742 last year, and 1,852 as of November this year, greatly alleviating the rural labor shortage in the province. Next year, the province plans to attract more than 2,500 of the total 14,000 seasonal workers from Laos. Since 2023, the province has supported 42 ambulances, 299 pieces of emergency equipment, and 1,600 computers over three years, and last year supported 20 patrol cars, 5 motorcycles, and other items, contributing to the safety and information of Laotian residents.