NEAR news vol.56 (ENG)

NEAR This Month NEAR Activities I Secretariat News I NEAR Member News I Schedule of NEAR Member

Feature Report NEAR Members’ Cultural Series – Lotus Lantern Festival

NEAR Member Tour Zavkhan Province, Mongolia

Vol. 56

NEARNewsOne Northeast Asia Region, One Community NEAR2013. 3-4

The Association of Northeast Asia Regional

Governments

Otgontenger Mountain, Zavkhan Province, Mongolia

Vol. 564 12 14

“NEAR News” was launched in 2005 to serve as a messenger between NEAR member regions and promote sharing of information. The bi-monthly magazine is published and distributed to NEAR members and other relevant organizations free of charge, containing information on NEAR activities, news from members, international issues, contributions and announcements (also available free at http://www.neargov.org). You can take part in creating NEAR News anytime by contributing articles and creative ideas (Contact the NEAR Secretariat).

NEAR News

Lotus Lantern Festival

NEAR is...a representative regional diplomacy cooperation and international organization by 76 regional governments (71 member regions and 5 observers) in 6 Northeast Asian countries, including South Korea, China, Japan, Russia, North Korea, and Mongolia.Since the adoption of the NEAR Charter based on mutual prosperity, NEAR has carried out extensive exchange and cooperation projects in various fields ranging from economy and humanities exchange, education & cultural exchange, environment, disaster prevention, cross-border cooperation, science & technology, ocean & fisheries, tourism, mineral resources development & coordination, energy & climate change, women & children, bio-medical industry to agriculture.Partnering with and promoting joint projects by strengthening the exchange with international organizations such as AER (The Assembly of European Regions), the largest independent network of regional authorities in Europe, and R-20 (Regions of Climate Action), NEAR takes the lead in building an international cooperative network communicating with the world beyond Northeast Asia.

NEAR is open to all. Any local government located in the Northeast Asian region sharing the founding purpose of NEAR can join us through the NEAR General Assembly.

The Association of Northeastesia Regional

Governments

events by promoting the General Assembly, Sub-Committees, and International Forum held this year.

Activity Report of the Sub-Committee - Disaster Prevention

The Schedule of the NEAR Working-level Workshop

Date Schedule

May 21 (Wed) Registration and Welcoming Dinner

May 22 (Thu) Working-level Workshop and Study Visit

May 23 (Fri) Study Visit and Farewell

NEAR Activities

NEAR Working-level Workshop to be held

The 12th Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention was held on March 10-14 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (Coordinator) and was participated by 32 attendees from 15 member regions across four countries, including China, South Korea, Mongolia, and Russia.

During the study visit to ‘the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution,’ participants watched videos on earthquake disaster and its recovery (the Great Hanshin Earthquake and Great East Japan Earthquake) and experienced an earthquake. During the Disaster Prevention Workshop, they learned the process in which the buildings are destroyed when an earthquake occurs and the fundamentals of earthquake design and seismic design through experiments.

The 9th Working-level Workshop will be held from May 21 at Hotel Inter-Burgo Exco, Daegu Metropolitan City. The Workshop will discuss the plans for exchange and cooperation among member regions and the establishment of networks among working-level staffs.

The Workshop will cover service achievement of the Secretariat in 2013 and main service plans in 2014, along with a special lecture on “Globalization of Saemaul Movement” by President Park Chung Hee Leadership Research Institute of Yeungnam University. In addition, the Workshop will request member regions’ active participation in NEAR

In addition, participants shared information regarding practical disaster prevention through a presentation “Hyogo Prefecture’s measure for disaster prevention.”

Meanwhile, on the 11th, participants spent time exchanging opinions regarding disaster information sharing, development of disaster prevention human resources, and the lessons learned from disasters at the International Disaster Prevention Organizations, such as Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), International Recovery Platform (IRP), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Later, they visited Hyogo Anti Disaster Center, Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum, and Kobe Disaster Management Center.

NEAR This Month

NEAR Activities

Group Photo of Participants

Working-level Workshop Meeting 2013

Study Visit

NEAR NEWS Vol. 564

A welcome party for Chinese ambassador to Korea and a New Year meeting 2014 hosted by Korea-China Leaders Society and the Chinese embassy in Korea were held on February 26 at Grand Ballroom Hilton Hotel, Seoul. A gathering to commemorate the publication of a new book titled ‘Kim Han-kyu, Knowing a lot about China’ written by the president Kim of Korea-China Leaders Society was also held. Secretary General Kim attended the event and expressed his congratulations on the ambassador’s appointment and president Kim’s publication.

Ambassador Choo remarked that “Korea can achieve ‘the second miracle on the Han River’ and China achieve Chinese dream representing the wealth and revival of nation” emphasizing “both countries has become a partner for cooperation in all areas.”

On this day event, 400 Korean and Chinese figures, including Kim Su-han, former Chairman of the National Assembly, Lee Soo-sung, former Prime Minister, Chung Mong-Joon, Head of the Korea-China Legislators’ Association for Foreign Affairs, current ministers, and journalists participated.

The 2nd East-Sea Rim Development International Seminar was held on February 27 in the main conference room of the Pohang City hall. NEAR Secretary General Kim participated as a panel for discussion themed ‘Cooperation plan and agenda for co-development of regional economy in East-Sea Rim’ and discussed the role of regional governments in Northeast Asia for local economic development. .

Meanwhile, the Seminar was to create constant research atmosphere regarding East-Sea Rim Economic Bloc and seek cooperation plans and joint development of east sea regions, under the theme of ‘Current state of East-Sea Rim economic cooperation and agenda for East-Sea Rim era.’ Lee Du-hwan, Head of East Sea Development Council, said that Gyeongsangbuk-do Province will establish a new East Sea plan to find a power for regional growth for the future in the sea, a rich repository of infinite resources, leading East-Sea Rim era during a presentation.

Secretary General Kim Participated in a Welcome Party for the Chinese Ambassador to Korea

Participation in the 2nd East-Sea Rim Development International Seminar

NEAR This Month NEAR Activities / Secretariat News

The 3rd Sub-Committee on Mineral Resources Development and Coordination to be held

NEAR Sub-Committee on Mineral Resources Development and Coordination 2014 will be held on July 18 to discuss the problem of natural resources development in Northeast Asia and the investment project related to joint development of natural resources and mineral development among NEAR members.

Details are as below and hope for active participation of member regions.

- Date: July, 18, 2014 (Fri)- Venue: Magadan City, Magadan Region, Russia- Participation: Division related to Economy, Mining Industry Division, Representatives of Mining

Enterprise, and Investment Company *Deadline for the sign-up is June, 15, 2014

- Discussion and Presentation1) Problem of Natural Resources Development 2) Possibility of Natural Resources Joint Development among NEAR Members3) Specific Investment and Development Project regarding Mineral Resources Development and Coordination

Secretariat NewsSub-Committee Meeting on Mineral Resources Development and Coordination 2012

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 5

NEAR This Month Secretariat News

Secretary General Kim participated in the 5th Asian Leadership Conference hosted by the CHOSUNILBO on March 3-4. The conference discussed the possibility of Korean Unification and co-prosperity in Northeast Asia under the theme of “One Korea, New Asia,” gathered by political leaders, entrepreneurs, and scholars.

A promotional video to introduce NEAR to visitors from home and abroad and to promote NEAR to event participatns, member regions, and related organizations, is to be produced to convey NEAR’s vision, services, and events along with promoting NEAR’s image including its identity. The video is expected to show its reputation as a global international organization through promoting NEAR activities and enhancing the understanding of NEAR during the events. The production of the video will be completed in April, 2014 and be used as a tool for NEAR promotions during a variety of events, such as the NEAR Working-level Workshop, International Forum, the General Assembly, and Sub-committee meetings. In addition, the video will be produced in five languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian, and Russian and be distributed to member regions.

Three staffs from the Secretariat, including Director General Lee Jong-hwan participated in the 12th Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention held in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan and promised to promote NEAR members’ events and give support for the Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention. Later, they exchanged opinions for the NEAR development requesting active participation and cooperation for the NEAR events while visiting Shimane Prefecture, Japan.

Public officials seconded from foreign member regions to the NEAR Secretariat in 2013 visited Andong Hahoe Folk Village and Dosan Seowon located in Andong City, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province to experience Confucianism culture on May 31 before the upcoming departure.

Andong City, which has the roots of Korean Confucianism culture makes an effort to shed new light on the Confucianism culture by holding international forums themed ‘The 21st humanistic value and Confucianism culture.’ The study visit gave the seconded public officials the opportunity to experience Korean Confucianism culture by introducing the representative historic sites to them.

Meanwhile, Dosan Seowon was established in memory of Korean Confucian scholar Yi Hwang by some of his disciples and is divided into Dosan Seodang and Dosan Seowon. Dosan Seodang is the place Yi Hwang, by himself, taught his followers, whereas Dosan Seowon was built after his death to commemorate his lofty virtue.

Andong Hahoe Folk Village, which was designated UNESCO World Heritage is the clan society village that keeps the most Korean style and its unique culture as a leading place where the Korean traditional Confucianism culture still exists.

The list of staffs seconded from NEAR members to work at the Secretariat for one year is finalized. The list of seconded members 2014 is as follows.

Secretary General Kim Participated in the Asian Leadership Conference

NEAR Promotional Video Produced

The Delegation of the Secretariat Participated in the Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention and Visited a Japanese Member Region

Public Officials Seconded from Foreign Member Regions Experienced Korean Culture

New Staffs, Seconded from NEAR Members to the Secretariat in 2014

Discussion with Staffs of Shimane Prefecture

Staff Seconded from China: Qi Hongzheng(Shandong Province.,+82-54-223-2326)

Staff Seconded from Mongolia:Batsuuri Undrakh(Khuvsgul Province, +82-54-223-2327)

Staff Seconded from Japan: Matsuo Shuichiro (Shimane Prefecture, +82-54-223-2386)

Staff Seconded from Russia: Anna Liman (Irkutsk Region, +82-54-223-2325)

NEAR NEWS Vol. 566

Heilongjiang Province - China

Niigata Prefecture - Japan

Shaanxi Province - China“The 1st China-Russia Expo” to be held on June 30-July 4 in Harbin, China

Foreign Buyer Invitation Meeting Conducted

The 18th Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China·Silk Road International Expo

The 1st China-Russia Expo will be held on June 30-July 4 in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. The Expo is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the Heilongjiang Provincial Government, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, and Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, themed “New Opportunity, New Platform.” “China Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair” has been held 24 times. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia discussed the revision of the name of “China-Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair” to “China-Russia Expo” to promote the scope of cooperation by building a new China-Russia economic and trade platform at the China-Russia prime ministers’ meeting.

The exhibition hall covers 86,000 square meters (with 3,000 international standard booths), including Russia Pavilion(Russian image exhibition district, Russian business exhibition district, and China-Russia economic and trade cooperation projects exhibition district), international exhibition booth, electronic and mechanical booth, agricultural booth, construction material booth, green food exhibition booth, furniture exhibition booth, cultural industry booth, Russian oil painting booth, etc.. During the expo, a serial of activities relating to economy modernization, investment, economy special zones, local communications as well as youth communications will be held to promote China-Russia economic and trade cooperation and communications. A variety of programs, including Russia Pavilion opening ceremony, China-Russia states, provinces and enterprises principals’ meeting, Russia’s local and advantageous industry promotion, enterprises fair and matchmaking meeting are also to be arranged.

Besides, in order to strengthen the cooperation with other countries, China-EU Cooperation Dialogue and China-Latin Countries Cooperation Dialogue will also be held during the China-Russia Expo.

Niigata Prefecture holds Foreign Buyer Meeting as an activity to promote food and agricultural and marine products export every year, co-hosted by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Niigata and Niigata Industry Creation Organization.

Niigata Prefecture was able to promote and sell the Prefecture’s food through a meeting with 37 enterprises within the Prefecture at the invitation of foreign buyers from 19 companies across 12 countries, including South Korea, China (Hong Kong), Russia, and Mongolia in March, 2014. It is expected that the overseas routes of Niigata’s food is more expended as Niigata rice wine being exported abroad is increasing each year.

NEAR Member News NEAR This Month

Agricultural Exhibition Booth of China-Russia Expo, former “China·Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair” Foreign Buyers Paying Attention to the Explanation while Holding Items

Opening Ceremony of the 17th Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China

- Event: The 18th Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China·Silk Road International Expo

- Hosts: Chinese National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Shaanxi Provincial Government

- Theme: Promote Joint-Growth by Expanding Open Cooperation- Date: May 23 to May 26, 2014 - Venue: Xi’an Qujiang Convention Center, Shaanxi Province, China


NEAR Member News

La Folle Journee Kanazawa Concert 2013

NEAR This Month NEAR Member News

Ishikawa Prefecture - Japan

Gyeongsangnam-do Province - South Korea

Jeju Self-Governing Province - South Korea

‘La Folle Journee Kanazawa Concert 2014’ to be held

3.2 billion won in Support for the Project to Create the Environment-friendly Agriculture Belts

The 1st International Electric Vehicle Expo held

‘La Folle Journee Kanazawa Concert 2014’ is held on April 29 - May 9. Forty-five minutes’ short performance will be presented from morning till night and the attraction of the concert is that audiences are able to listen to the best musicians’ playing at low cost.

The 7th concert themed ‘The story of three cities-Prague, Vienna, and Budapest’ will show musicians’ masterpiece related to three old cities, the cities of history, art, and music. During the concert, the whole city is colored with music offered by a variety of concerts, centered on Ishikawa Prefectural Concert Hall as a main concert hall. The artists who give an excellent performance are the best musicians gathered from Japan and Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, the country’s first multinational chamber orchestra.

In addition, as a variety of programs, such as accompanied performance of traditional and classical music are prepared, we hope to see large attendance at this year’s concert.

As ‘A Project to Create Uiryeong, Haman, Changnyeong, and Hapcheon Environment-friendly Agriculture Belts’ is a second year, its achievement is becoming more visible. On March 5, Gyeongsangnam-do Province

‘The 1st International Electric Vehicle Expo (IEVE)’ was held from March 15 until March 21 at ICC (International Convention Center Jeju) in order to exhibit electric vehicles which were introduced in South Korea and discuss the plans for related industry skills development. Nearly 40 companies in the electric vehicle industry and about 2,000 experts in the sector have gathered along with six

electric vehicle manufacturers, such as Kia Motors, Renault Samsung, Nissan, BMW, GM, and MIA and all electric vehicle models which were released in South Korea were displayed.

Welcoming ceremony and founding forum of Korea Electric Vehicle Leaders Association Motors (KELA) were held on 17th and the topics such as technology development for electric vehicle convergence, distribution of electric cars, and activation of related industries were discussed by 21th. Side events included electric cars and bicycles test drive and building electric car models.

Meanwhile, Jeju Self-Governing Province promotes the “Carbon Free Island Jeju by 2030” project. According to this, Jeju makes an effort to distribute electric cars that can obtain new renewable energy through utilizing wind and can reduce carbon emission to the public and to build electric vehicle charging infrastructures.

announced that the area certified for environment-friendly agriculture in four counties participating in ‘The Project to Create Environment-friendly Agriculture Belts’ has swelled by 109 ha compared to last year.

Meanwhile, ‘The Project to Create Uiryeong, Haman, Changnyeong, and Hapcheon Environment-friendly Agriculture Belts’ is to invest 30.1 billion won for five years from 2013 to 2017 to realize a sustainable and high value-added agriculture. Gyeongsangnam-do Province promotes creation of environment-friendly agricultural districts and ecological agricultural complex, supports of environment-friendly agricultural materials, and regional specified business by supporting 3.2 billion won’s business expenses to four Counties.

Director Lee Jung-gon of Environment-friendly Agriculture Division stated that discussion on measures and problem solution between directors and staffs of four Counties, along with Gyeongsangnam-do Province activated ‘The Project to Create Uiryeong, Haman, Changnyeong, and Hapcheon Environment-friendly Agriculture Belts.’ As a result, it will expand infrastructures for environment friendly agriculture by increasing the area certified for environment-friendly agricultural products in four counties to 109ha.

NEAR NEWS Vol. 568

Chingisiin huree

NEAR Member News NEAR This Month

Ulaanbaatar City - Mongolia

Irkutsk Region - RussiaGyeongsangbuk-do Province - South Korea

The Golden Eagle Festival 2014 held

“Baikal Tour” International Travel Fair held

Confucian Scholar Culture held

‘The Golden Eagle Festival 2014’ was held on March 5 at the Chingisiin huree campground by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism of Mongolia, Tourism Association, Residents’ Association of Bayan-Olgii Province, and Eagle Trainers’ Association in Mongolia.

The Eagle festival, an annual traditional festival for passing on Kazakh’s way of hunting with eagles, promotion of tourism, and income increase of local residents, was held this year in Bayan-Olgii Province, Mongolia, participated by 18 eagle trainers. 17 year-old man of the participants was the youngest and 60 year-old man attended as the oldest participant. The festival was attended by 500 people, including persons related to international organizations and each country’s embassy in Mongolia, foreign tourists, and Ulaanbaatar’s citizens.

"Baikal Tour" International Travel Fair was held on March 26-28 at the Siberian Expo Center, Irkutsk region, Russia. The 18th Baikal Tour, the representative international travel fair in Siberia was participated by more than 100

organizations from home and abroad, including Russia, Mongolia, China, and South Korea.

A variety of tourism items, such as summer recreation tour, leisure sports, camping, and business tour as well as medical tour were displayed during the expo. In addition, there were briefing session, seminar, and discussion on the tour businesses.

Scholar Culture Yeongdeok Forum of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province was held on March 8 at Yeongdeok County hall, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, attended by 350 participants, including heads of the regional organizations and confucian scholar leaders in the Province.

The Forum is held every year in cities and counties of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do Youth Yudo Association to establish Gyeongbuk’s identity by inheriting and developing scholar spirit which draws attention as the 21st century’s human philosophy and is the foundation of Korean spiritual culture.

The Forum served as a meaningful event to establish cultural identity and proper values of the residents and youths by spreading true value of confucian spirit as well as interpreting confucian spirit of ancient sages in the modern view under the theme of ‘Confucianism and living skills’ and ‘Looking at Toegye’s Hwalinsimbang in modern view.’

• Date: September 26~October 12, 2014

• Participation and Application: - Bio-related sectors (medicine, chemistry, food,

environment, electronic, and engineering, etc.) - Deadline for application for participation is

May 30, 2014

• Venue: The Osong High-Tech Medical Complex (near the KTX Osong station)

• Host and Contact - Organizing Committee of Osong International

Bio Industry ExpoT: +82-43-230-6021~4

• Event - There are exhibitions, offi cial events, special events,

experience events, and standing events. Please refer to the website for more details.

* Website: http://eng.bio-osong.kr/index.do* Website: http://eng.bio-osong.kr/index.do

Chungcheongbuk-do Province, South Korea

International Event Guidance for NEAR Members

Osong InternationalBio Industry Expo 2014


NEAR This Month

| Schedule of NEAR Member |

Schedule of NEAR Member

May2014.5

June2014.6

Sunday Monday Tuesday

25 26 27

•Region Amur Region, Russia •Event Amur Expo Forum 2014•When June•Where Blagoveshchensk

•Region Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea

•Event Busan-Shanghai Ocean Forum •When June•Where International Conference Hall

of City Hall •Contact International Relations Division of

Busan Metropolitan City(T)+82-51-888-3541


•Event The 24th International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference

•When June 15-20•Where Bexco•Contact International Relations Division of

Busan Metropolitan City (T)+82-51-888-3541

•Region Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Korea

•Event The World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2014

•When June 15-20•Where Kimdaejung Convention Center

1 2 3

8 9 10

15 17

22 23 24

•Region Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea

•Event The 10th International Factory Automation System Show 2014

•When May 20-23•Where Changwon Convention Center

(ceco)

•Region Incheon Metropolitan City, South Korea

•Event Global Green Project (Global Green Hub Korea 2014)

•When Early May (for two days)•Where Incheon Songdo Convensia •Contact KOTRA, Green Energy

Policy Division of Incheon Metropolitan City (T)+82-32-440-4352

•Region Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea

•Event 2014 Ulsan-Jinha PWA World Cup•When May (for nine days)•Where Ulsan Metropolitan City

(Jinha Beach) •Contact Organizing Committee of the Ulsan-

Jinha PWA World Cup/Sports Support Division of Ulsan Metropolitan City (T)+82-52-229-3782

•Region Ulsan Metropolitan City, South Korea

•Event The Organization for the East Asia Economic Development

•When May (for three days)•Where Ulsan Metropolitan City

(Lotte Hotel)

11 12 13

18 19 20

NEAR NEWS Vol. 5610

Schedule of NEAR MemberNEAR This Month

•Region Jeju Self-Governing Province, South Korea

•Event The 9th Jeju Forum •When May 28-30•Where Haevichi Resort, Seogwipo City,•Contact Peace and Cooperation Division of

Jeju Self-Governing Province (T)+82-64-710-6265


•Event Busan International Motor Show 2014

•When May 29- June 8•Where Bexco•Contact International Relations Division of


Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

28 29 31

•Region Shandon Province, China •Event The 3th Korea Ware Expo •When June 4-8•Where Jinan•Contact Department of Commerce of Jinan

(T)+86-531-66602016

•Region Shandon Province, China •Event The 8th Yantai International

Wine Expo •When June 12-14•Where Yantai•Contact Foreign Affairs Office of Yantai City

(T)+86-535-6235300

•Region Republic of Skaha, Russia •Event The 2nd International Conference

(Russia Far East Region’s Independent System Renewable Energy)

•When Yakutsk City •Where Housing and Energy Division,

Republic of Sakha (Т)+7-4112-34-19-33

•Region Republic of Skaha, Russia •Event The 3rd UNESCO International

Conference •When June 28-July 3•Where Yakutsk City•Contact Cultural and Religious

Development Division, Republic of Sakha (Т)+7-4112-42-11-63

•Region Krasnoyarsk Region, Russia •Event The 4th International Music

Festival of Asia-Pacific Countries •When Jube 26-July 4•Where Krasnoyarsk Region•Contact Director in charge of the Festival

(T)+7 (391) 211-26-83 E-mail: [email protected] www.apfest.com

•Region Daegu Metropolitan City, South Korea

•Event The 14th Daegu International Food Expo 2014 (DAFOOD)

•When June 12-15•Where Daegu EXCO•Contact DAFOOD Secretariat

(T)+82-53-601-5311 http://www.dafood.co.kr/

4 5 6 7

11 12 14

18 19 20 21

25 26 27 28

•Region NEAR Secretariat •Event NEAR Working-level Workshop•When May 21-23•Where Daegu•Contact NEAR Secretariat

(T)+82-54-223-2318 (English) (T)+82-54-223-2320 (China) (T)+82-54-223-2317 (Japan) (T)+82-54-223-2384 (Mongolia) (T)+82-54-223-2219 (Russia)

•Region Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Korea

•Event World Human Right Cities Forum 2014

•When May 15-18•Where Kimdaejung Convention Center •Contact Human Right Division

(T)+82-62-13-2071

•Region Gangwon-do Province, South Korea

•Event Chuncheon International Mime Festival

•When May•Where Chuncheon Festival Theater•Contact Chuncheon International Mime

Festival (T)+82-33-242-0585 (T)+82-52-229-3782


•Event The 11th Busan International Performing Arts Festival

•When May 2-11•Where Culture Center •Contact International Relations Division of



•Event Busan Super Cup International Yacht Race 2014

•When May 3-5•Where Busan Suyeong Bay •Contact International Relations Division of


1 2 3

14 15 16 17

21 22 23 24



Every year, on April 8th, in accordance with the lunar calendar, a Lotus Lantern Festival is held to commemorate the birth of Buddha according to Buddhist beliefs from all parts of the country. The NEAR News looks into the Lotus Lantern Festival which shows Korean cultural trait for the first time of NEAR Members' cultural series.

NEAR Members’ Cultural Series

NEAR NEWS Vol. 5612


The Origin of the Lotus Lantern FestivalThe Lotus Lantern Festival, or “Yeondeunghoe,” was designated as the country’s event during

the Koryo Dynasty, starting from the Silla Kingdom, along with Palgwanhoe. Lighting lanterns symbolizes a wish to brighten the darker side of the world and represents Buddha’s devotion to performing good deeds.

Buddha’s Coming day became a Korean public holiday in 1975 and the Lotus Lantern Festival to celebrate Buddha’s Coming day centered on the Celebration Committee in each city and province is becoming a city festival embodied with a variety of lantern parades in company with citizens along with Buddhism events, including lantern offering.

The Lotus Lantern Festival, the Festival for Everyone to Enjoy The Lotus Lantern Festival which is designated as the Korean Intangible Cultural Heritage No.

122 will be held in Seoul. Starting with a lighting ceremony on April 25-27 in Jongno, Seoul, citizens can feel and experience a variety of events.

During the festival, people can participate in a variety of events as there are a lot for everyone to see. “Traditional Cultural Events” held in front of Jogyesa is a kind of cultural experience program held in more than 100 booths and loved by foreigners and citizens. A survey of foreigners participating in the festival found that the festival is considered not religious event but cultural festival representing Korean cultural contents.

The schedule of the festival is as follows and a further information is available on the website.* Official Website: http://www.llf.or.kr/html/index.as

The Schedule of the Lotus Lantern Festival

Schedule Date Lighting Ceremony April

Exhibition of Traditional Lanterns

April 25 ~ May 11

Eoullim Madang April 26

Lantern Parade April 26

Heohyang Hanmadang April 26

Traditional Cultural Events April 27

Yeondeungnori April 27

Buddha’s Birthday Dharma Ceremony May 6

Gwandeung Ceremony May 6

•Venue: Jogyesa,Bongeunsa, Inda-dong, Cheonggyecheon

The Day of Buddha´s Coming (Buddha´s Birthday)The Day of Buddha´s Coming which is Buddha’s Birthday in a Korean public holiday name, is a day when Shakyamuni was born and is celebrated on the 8th day of April in

accordance with the lunar calendar. The Festival is the biggest annual Buddhist event and includes a variety of events, such as Yeondeungnori, Gwandeungnori, releasing

captive animals, and circling the pagoda. Yeondeungnori is held in China, Japan, and India as well as in Korea. The day has a great purpose meaning Shakyamuni came to

save the people of the world.

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

1, 2. Bongeunsa Lighting 3, 4. Lantern Parade 5. Buddha's Birthday Dharma Ceremony6, 7. Foreigners’ Lantern Making 8, 9 . Yeondeungnori Feast Group


6

Zavkhan Province, MongoliaNEAR Member Tour

where the Beautiful Nature ExistsZavkhan Province•Administrative District: 24 soms •Central City of the Province: Uliastai•Territory: 82,455.66 ㎢•Population: 69,972/the year of 2012 •Climate: The average temperature in January

reaches -20 °C to -30 °C and the lowest ever recorded temperature was -53 °C in Tosontsengel

•Cultural Event: Nadam Festival (Every July)

Otgontenger Mountain, Famous Mountain in MongoliaOtgontenger Mountain, Famous Mountain in Mongolia

1

Zavkhan Province, Mongolia

NEAR NEWS Vol. 5614

NEAR Member Tour Zavkhan Province, Mongolia

Zavkhan Province is located in the west of the country and is 1,104km from Ulaanbaatar. The Province borders with Khovd and Uvs Provinces in the West, the Tuva Republic of the Russian Federation in the north, Khuvsgul and Arkhangai Provinces in the east, Bayankhongor and Govi-Altai Provinces in the southern part respectively.

1, 2. Vansemberuu 3. Red Garlic 4. Musicians of Morin-tologaihole, Zavhan Province

2 3 4

Otgontenger Mountain, Famous Mountain in Mongolia Otgontenger mountain which has been loved by Mongolians as the best mountain has its summit currently

calculated to reach maximum elevation of 4,021 meters and is composed of iceberg above 3,572 meters high. It is traditionally famous for having a ritual for a mountain spirit and currently has religious ritual for the

mountain spirit at the Mongolian President’s command. There are Badamkhundaga-a beautiful lake under the mountain, Vansemberuu-rare plants, Altankhundaga,

Mongolian Milkvetch root, and wild animals, such as wild goats and deer live there. 995 square kilometers area of Orgontenger mountain was designated as a protection area since 1992. The region is located 100km away from Uliastai City.

Otgontenger Hot Springs There are 30 places where hot spring’s mineral water flows, which is + 54 °C in the north of Bogd river and

22km behind Orgontenger mountain. It is well known for curing a disease related to the nervous system in a manner of bathing and eating and drinking.

Vansemberuu Vansemberuu is a flower which only blooms in pairs in the places where snow, wind, and severe cold exist. Vansemberuu is a wildflower which blooms on a rock crack high in the mountains that are over 3,000 meters

and mainly capped with permanent snow, symbolizing happiness and purity. The Vansemberuu is considered valuable and has a healing property.

Local Brand Red Garlic which started to be cultivated 300 years ago in fertile land of Zavkhan Province is an excellent

product. According to scholars in England, the garlic is represented to include mineral higher than other garlics.


The Association of Northeast Asia Regional Governments

The Association of Northeast Asia Regional Governments3F Pohang Technopark, #394 Jigok-ro (#601 Jigok-dong), Namgu, Pohang City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, ROKT. 054-223-2318 F. +82-54-223-2309 E-mail [email protected] Website www.neargov.org

NEAR news vol.56 (ENG)

Documents

Transcript of NEAR news vol.56 (ENG)