NEARNEAR Leading the Era of Northeast Asia2012. 1-2
Vol. 43
News
The Association of North East Asia Regional
Governments
Special Contribution Northeast Asia, at the Center of the “Century of Asia” - NEAR must lay the foundation for community building
NEAR This Month NEAR Activities / Secretariat News / NEAR Member News
Feature Report A Night at Golgulsa - Templestay
NEAR Member TourAmur Region of Russia
The Annunciation Cathedral, Blagoveshensk, Amur region
“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
Vol. 43
6 13 14
Matsue Castle in winter, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
NEAR is...an international organization founded in Sept. 1996
in Gyeongju, South Korea by 29 regional
governments in four Northeast Asian countries,
including South Korea, China, Japan, Russia.
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 trade, education
& cultural exchanges, environment, disaster
prevention, cross-border cooperation, science &
technology, ocean & fisheries to tourism.
Today, with the participation of North Korea and
Mongolia and the accession of new member
governments, NEAR encompasses 70 member
regions in six countries as an organization
representing Northeast Asia dedicated to regional
diplomacy & cooperation.
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 North East Asia Regional
Governments
NEAR This Month
2012 is the Year of the Dragon - not just about Dragons but the “Water Dragon” or the “Black
Dragon” which arrives every 60 years. It is when good fortune is expected to kick off and ascend into
the sky as dragons do. The commonly shared meaning of the Year of Dragon creates a strong sense of
kinship among us living in Northeast Asia. As you may know, this year also marks the 16th anniversary
of the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR) and the Annual General
Assembly will be held in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China. I hope that all members of
NEAR will be able to join us for our 9th gathering in this meaningful year.
Many experts have predicted for a long time that the 21st century would be “the Age of Asia,” but as
everyone knows, Northeast Asia has played a pivotal role in the growth of Asia. Transformed into one
of the three pillars of the global ecconomy, it has participated in global agenda-setting and taken
actions as responsible members of the global community. As the 2008 financial crisis triggered by the
US credit crunch spilled over into a sovereign crisis in the euro area, only Northeast Asia and by
extention, Asia, remains a key driver of the global economy. With this regard, I expect that NEAR will
contribute to meeting the needs of the times as well.
Last year, the delegation of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) headed by AER President,
which has accumulated much more experience in regional cooperation than NEAR, participated in our
International Forum for the first time turning it into a more meaningful event. Both organizations
agreed to work together to identify areas for closer cooperation between Northeast Asia and Europe.
Even in this age of globalization, increasing efforts are made to form a regional community and
central governments actively cooperate with each other to this end. However, since national interests
are prioritized over the interests of citizens, such efforts are often overshadowed by political and
diplomatic conflicts. Regional governments, on the other hand, are able to start with more achievable
goals, moving on from lower level without being entangled in big, controversial issues and agendas
between nations. This is why cooperation between regions is gaining interest and momentum. Now is
the time for NEAR, like organizations such as AER, to focus efforts on taking advantage of it.
Today, under the umbrella of NEAR, 11 Sub-Committees are in place dealing with various issues to
realize the spirit of NEAR in the best way. However, each Sub-Committee should press on with its
efforts to set strategic goals based on the future vision of Northeast Asia, develop concrete action plans
and, ultimately, produce results which will importantly benefit local citizens. By encouraging
reciprocal development between regions and democratic citizenship of our local people, we must lay
the foundation for the regionalization of Northeast Asia that leads to the road of a Northeast Asian
community. This is our complementary role to play compared to that of the central governments.
Some practical examples of the way to do this: introduce an internship program where member
regions can mutually exchange human resources between local companies and organizations within the
context of job creation; activley operate youth programs for mutual understanding to help the next
generation lead the tomorrow’s world; open new business channels to promote practical cooperation
between local business circles; put together investment promotion conferences which have been
organized seperately by each region with the same target in one place as a joint investment promotion
event; and there can be many more.
I hope this year of dragon will be a milestone for creating a new era and a new NEAR with the sprit of self-
confidence, participation and growth. Best wishes for continued prosperity and growth to all NEAR members.
Northeast Asia, at the Center of the “Century of Asia”NEAR must lay the foundation for community building
NEAR NEWS Vol. 42
Special Contribution
4
Special Contribution
KIM Jae-Hyo, Secretary General of NEAR
NEAR This Month NEAR Activities
The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 5
The 10th Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention will be held on 12-15
March in Kobe City of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Representatives and
disaster prevention officials from each participating member regions will
attend the lecture on “Support between Regions for Restoration from the
Great East Japan Earthquake” and participate in simulation exercises at
Hyogo Prefectural Emergency Management and Training Center to
improve regional disaster prevention capability. Various other programs
are organized as well, including a study-visit to Disaster Reduction and
Human Renovation Institution (a disaster prevention museum to convey
the experiences and lessons of the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake to the
world), E-Defense (3-D full-scale earthquake testing facility), Miki
Disaster Prevention Park and Kobe Fire Department; and CPR and AED
programs for training valuable lifesaving skills.
The 10th Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention to Be
Held in Hyogo
NEAR Events Schedule 2012
NEAR Activities
NEAREvents
Title
The 10th Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention
NEAR Working-level Workshop
When Where Contact
12-15 March
May
Kobe City, Hyogo Pref.
(Japan)
The 1st Sub-Committee on Energy &
Climate ChangeMay
Daegu Metropolitan City
(Korea)
The 9th General Assembly 24 - 27 July
Yuehai Hotel, Yinchuan City,
Ningxia Hui Autonomous
Region(China)
The Sub-Committee on Education &
Cultural Exchange
(1. Wings of Exchange of Northeast Asia in Shimane
2. Northeast Asia Cultural Palette)
1. 2 - 8 August
2. 8 - 9 OctoberShimane Pref.(Japan)
Sub-Committee on Economy & Trade Oct.Gyeongsangbuk-do
Prov.(Korea)
Sub-Committee on Tourism Tbc Henan Prov.(China)
Sub-Committee on Mineral Resources Development
& CoordinationTbc Magadan Region(Russia)
Tbc NEAR SecretariatSecret-
ariat
Disaster Management & Planning
Bureau, Hyogo Prefectural Gov.
T.+81-78-362-9870
F.+81-78-362-9914
Green Energy Division, Daegu
Metropolitan City Gov.
T. +82-53-803-3575
F. +82-53-803-3059
E.mail: [email protected]
NEAR Secretariat
T. +82-54-223-2318(English)
+82-54-223-2320(Chinese)
+82-54-223-2317(Japanese)
+82-54-223-2384(Mongolian)
+82-54-223-2319(Russian)
F. +82-54-223-2309
Foreign Affairs Office of Ningxia Hui
Autonomous Region
T. +86-951-5043640
F. +86-951-5043640
Culture and International Affairs
Division, Shimane Prefectural Gov.
T. +81-852-22-6464
F. +81-852-22-6412
Division of Economy & Trade,
Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Gov.
T. +82-53-950-3033
F. +82-53-950-2177
E-mail: [email protected]
Foreign Affairs Office of Henan
Provincial Gov.
T. +86-371-65688841
F. +86-371-65688841
Economic Committee of Magadan
Regional Administration
T. +7-4132-623171
F. +7-4132-627761
E-mail: [email protected]
NEAR NEWS Vol. 42
Secretariat News / NEAR Member News
6
NEAR This Month
The grand opening ceremony
(Source: http://www.cnta.gov.cn/html/2012-1/2012-1-6-8-44-30000.html)
Zhu Shanzhong, Vice Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration declares theopening of the 2012 China Happiness & Health Tour China-Russia Tourism Year
HWANG Young-Seok, who had worked at the Secretariat since
February 2011 resigned in January 2012 and KIM Jong-Hak is appointed
as the new General Director of the Secretariat.
Announcement of Appointment
Secretariat News
NEAR Member News
Heilongjiang Province - China
On January 5th, the launching ceremony of 2012 China Happiness &
Health Tour and China-Russia Tourism Year organized by China National
Tourism Administration (CNTA) and People’s Government of
Heilongjiang Province was held in Harbin and Mudanjiang Municipality.
CNTA has decided to take “2012 China Happiness & Health Tour” as the
theme to promote tours in China, with an aim to further enrich and deepen
the connotation of tourism, promote physical health and self-cultivation
and facilitate the prosperity and harmony of the whole Chinese society.
Also, by declaring 2012 as the reciprocal “Tourism Year between China
and Russia,” it will further enhance the understanding and friendship
between these two peoples and promote mutual strategic cooperation and
the development of the tourism sector.
The 7th China (Henan) International Fair for Investment and Trade will be
held on 22-25 March in Zhengzhou International Convention & Exhibition
Centre. It is reported that this fair is the first major investment promotion
activity of Henan Province in 2012. During the fair, a series of activities to
be held include: project matchmaking symposiums, talkfest between
transnational corporations and Henan Province, Henan-Taiwan Economic
and Trade Cooperation Fair, project negotiation conferences on Henan’s
new-typed urbanization construction and etc. On 24 March, important
delegates and Chinese businessmen present at the fair will be arranged to
participate in the Ancestor Memorial Ceremony of Imjin Year (Chinese
Lunar Calendar) in Xinzheng, the birthplace of the Emperor Huang.
The 22nd National Book Expo will be held on 1-4 June, 2012 in Ningxia
Hui Autonomous Region. Formerly known as the National Book Fair, the
expo is the highest-level and most influential exhibition brand among the
Chinese media and publication circles and has been successfully organized
for 21 sessions until now. Under the theme of “Ningxia Book Expo,
2012 China Happiness & Health Tour China-RussiaTourism Year Launched
Henan Province - China
The 7th China (Henan) International Fair for Investment
and Trade to Be Held in March in Zhengzhou
The 22nd National Book Expo to Be Held in Ningxia
HWANG Young-Seok, former GeneralDirector
KIM, Jong-Hak, new General Directorof the NEARSecretariat
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region -China
As the hometown of popular cartoon artists such as Shigeru Mizuki of
the well-known “Gegege no Kitaro (Kitaro of the Graveyard)” series, Jiro
Taniguchi of “Harukana Machi-e (The Faraway Town)” and Gosho
Aoyama of the megahit comic book “Detective Conan,” Tottori Prefecture
has promoted itself as “manga mecca” and stepped up efforts to develop
local industry and attract tourists through manga.
As part of such efforts, the western Japan prefecture declares 2012 as
“the First Year of Manga Kingdom Tottori” and organize various events
throughout the year. In particular, the 13th International Comic Artist
Conference will be held in November to bring together comic book artists
from East Asian countries and regions. Considering that neighboring
countries and regions which Tottori have actively promoted relations with
are linked by the sea and that “the Food Capital of Japan” is favored by
nature, the prefectural government is also set to promote the charms of the
area under the theme “Food and Ocean.” A visit to Tottori this year will
certainly leave you no regret.
Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai successfully bid tohost the 13th International Comic ArtistConference at the 11th of its kind in Beijing.
NEAR This Month NEAR Member News
The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 7
Closing Performance of the 1st World Festival of Children’s Performing Arts in Toyama (2008)
Wisdom that Favors All,” it gives prominence to the geographical and
cultural characteristics of Ningxia and involves all kinds books of China
aiming to reach more readers nationwide. The main venue of this expo
will be located in the Yinchuan International Convention and Exhibition
Centre with the branch venues in four cities including Shizuishan,
Wuzhong, Zhongwei and Guyuan. (The official website of the 22nd
National Books Expo is http://www.22sbh.com/)
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is selected as the host of the 22nd National Books Expo
Toyama Prefecture - Japan
This summer, Toyama World Festival of Children’s Performing Arts
2012 will take place from 31 July to 5 August 2012 under the theme, “We
build the Future.” Around 2,400 children from 15 organizations overseas,
15 or more organizations from Toyama and other Japanese prefectures are
expected to participate. In particular, a total of six organizations from
NEAR member regions will join this time, including Ulaanbatar of
Mongolia, Gangwon-do Province of Korea, Primorsky Region of Russia,
Niigata Prefecture and Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan.
To promote mutual cultural exchange and friendship of the participants,
and help cultivate the creativity of children, various kinds of plays,
musical and dancing performances, workshops and stage art films for
children will be organized.
The World Festival of Children’s Performing Art in
Toyama 2012
Tottori Prefecture - Japan
Welcome to Manga Kingdom Tottori!
The 13th International Comic Artist Conference in Tottori 2012When 7-10 November Where Yonago Convention Center,
Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture Program - Exhibition of comic artists’ works
- Open studio - Experiential events such as book signings, talk
shows and cartoon classes- Cartoon product shop; character show
Website http://yokoso.pref.tottori.jp/dd.aspx
The World Festival of Children’s Performing Arts inToyama 2012Organized by The Executive Committee of the World Festival of
Children’s Performing Arts in Toyama 2012Contact T. +81-76-441-8635 (Extension 123)Website http://www.pref.toyama.jp/sections/1718/pat/
(Japanese)
NEAR NEWS Vol. 42
NEAR Member News
8
NEAR This Month
Busan Metropolitan City - Korea
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Korea-
Mongolia diplomatic relations, the 1st Korea-Mongolia Folk Wrestling was
held on 15 January in Busan Metropolitan City, Korea, attended by
Mongolian Ambassador to Seoul Dorjpalam Gerel, Mongolian Honorary
Consul in Busan BANG Young-Jin and Chairman of Busan Wrestling
Association (BWA) CHOI Hyun-Dol. In the competition, 16 professional
wrestlers from Mongolia and amateurs selected among Mongolians living
in Korea and 16 players from member high schools and universities of the
BWA competed in both Korean folk wrestling and Mongolian wrestling
style. “I hope this competition will serve as an opportunity to promote our
traditional culture throughout the world and strengthen ties between the two
countries” said Mr. Choi, the organizer of the event.
The 1st Korea-Mongolia Folk Wrestling Marking the
20-year Anniversary of Korea and Mongolia
Diplomatic Ties
Ulsan Metropolitan City - Korea
On 27 December, 2011, tentative calculations indicated that Ulsan
Metropolitan City earned the USD equivalent of 100 billion for their 2011
exportation, which is the highest record among Korean regions. At the
beginning of the year, uncertainties caused by the uproar in the Middle
East and North Africa and the spreading financial crisis across Europe
made it hard to reach even the original goal of USD 80 billion. However,
tides were turned with strong export of ship, automobile and
petrochemical products to Asia and emerging markets such as Japan and
China. As a single city, its export volume increased by 1,000 times from
1974 to 2010, ranking 38th in 2010 from 106th in 1974 among all the
countries in the world.
Since designated as a special industrial area in the 1960s where much of
the trade deficit was financed by foreign aid, Ulsan has transformed its
economy from traditional agricultural produce to high-tech and value-
added products to become a leading centre for logistics and trade in
Northeast Asian and beyond.
Ulsan Achieved USD 100 billion in Export for the First
Time in Korea
Gyeongsangbuk-do Province - Korea
On 9 January, Gyeongsangbuk-do (governor KIM Gwan-yong),
Yeongyang-gun (county governor KWON Yeong-taek) and Acciona
(CEO Alfonso Juste) signed an investment MOU for the establishment of
the Yeongyang Second Wind Power Generator Complex. With this,
Acciona is scheduled to invest a total of 95 billion won (foreign direct
investment) in the Chilseongbong area of Seokbo-myeon in Yeongyang. It
will construct 19 2.0MW class wind power generators by 2014 and
produce about 100,000MW/h of energy.
Through this investment, once the 10 additional mills are added to the
first complex, and the 72 units are completed in the Cheongseong Wind
Power Generation Complex, it will become the nation’s largest wind
power generation complex with a total of 142 units (annual generation
volume 586,000MW/h). Also, the northern Gyeongbuk region is expected
to enter the “Zero Fossil Fuel Age.”
Acciona is a company specializing in new renewable energy based in
northern Spain ane the second largest company of the world in the wind
power generation sector.
Gyeongsangbuk-do signed Investment MOU to Install
More Generators at Yeongyang Wind Generation
Complex
Ulaanbaatar City - Mongolia
The Asian University Women’s Volleyball Championship will be held
on 9-15 April in Ulaanbaatar. So far teams of 8 countries including
Thailand, Uzbekistan, Nepal, China, Sri-Lanka, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
and Mongolia have been registered to participate in the competition.
Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong are expected to join as well.
The 2nd Asian University Women’s Volleyball
Championship will be held in Ulaanbaatar
Altai Territory - Russia
On 30-31 March, a specialized exhibition on domestic and incoming
tourism is being held in Barnaul City. The “Altai Tour, Altai Kurort 2012”
features a wide range of themes including tourist centers, vacation houses,
recreational facilities and resorts, investment projects, hotel industry,
adventure tourism, sports tourism, rural tourism, eco-tourism, sanatorium-
“Altai Tour, Altai Kurort 2012”
MOU to establish the Second Wind Power Generator Complex in Yeongyang (From left to right:Governor KIM Kwan-Yong of Gyeongsangbuk-do,, CEO of Acciona Alfonso Juste, GovernorKWON Yeong-Taek of Yeongyang County)
NEAR This Month NEAR Member News
The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 9
Kemerovo Region - Russia
On 19th December 2011, Consul General of Mongolia Azad Baatartsogt
and Vice Consul Tsiiregzen Bud in Irkutsk officially visited Kemerovo
Region to meet with Vice-Governor Dmitriy Islamov and the business
community of the region as well as the heads of the Department of the
Federal Migration Service in Kemerovo Region and the Kuzbass Chamber
of Commerce & Industry. Also, they visited Kememrovo Sport Center and
the satellite town “Lesnaya Polyana.”
Issues of discussion included supply of Mongolian energy companies,
CJSC “Sibtenzopribor” and LLC “Agro” with housing and community
amenities and cooperation for the development of tourism. The supply of
Mongolian meat products were other issues of great importance during the
meetings.
Consul General of Mongolia in Irkutsk Paid Official
Visit to Kemerovo
and-spa treatment, business tourism, cultural and educational tourism,
family recreation, youth travel, leisure equipments, souvenirs, handicrafts
and many others.
Every year the exhibition attracts a lot of visitors and professionals,
giving a unique opportunity to present their projects, new solutions,
programs and tourist products to potential customers. Companies from all
over Russia take part in the exhibition.
ContactsDepartment of Tourism and Sanatorium Complex, Altai TerritorialGovernmentT. +7-3852-20-1031E-mail: [email protected]
The beautiful nature andcomfortable leisure facilitiesof Altai Territory
Meeting between Kemerovo region and Mongolian delegations
The Association of North East Asia Regional
Governments
March2012. 3.
Sunday Monday Tuesday
18 19 20
25 26 27
1 2 3
8 9 10
15 16 17
22 23 24
April2012. 4.
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Member Region Busan Metropolitan City (Korea)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Event Nuclear Energy KOREA 2012������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������When 19-21 March������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Where Busan Metropolitan City BEXCO������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Contact Busan Metropolitan City BEXCO
T. +82-51-740-3420
F. +82-51-740-3404
NuclearEnergyKOREA 2012
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Member Region Irkutsk Region (Russia) ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Event SIBERIAN FOOD PRODUCTS.
BEVERAGE������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������When 10-13 April������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Where Irkutsk ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Contact Dept. of Agriculture, Irkutsk
Regional Gov.
T. +7-3952-24-32-55
+7-3952-24-32-24
+7-3952-24-30-89
F. +7-3952-24-33-52
Events of NEAR Member Regions
NEAR NEWS Vol. 42
Events Schedule of NEAR Member Regions
10
NEAR This Month
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Member Region Henan Province (Chian)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event The 30th Luoyang Peony Festival������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 4 April -10 May ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Luoyang City������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Foreign Affairs Office of Henan
Provincial Gov.
T.+86-371-6568841
F.+86-371-6568841
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Member Region Shandong Province (China)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event China (Shouguang) International
Vegetable Exposition������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 20 April-20 May������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Shouguang City������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Organizing Committee of the
China Int’l Vegetable Exposition
T.+86-536-5678217
F.+86-536-5678213������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
E-mail [email protected]������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Website www.sgcbh.com
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Member Region Jeollabuk-do Province (Korea)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event The 13th Jeonju International Film
Festival(JIFF)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 26 April -4 May������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Jeonju City������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Organizing Committee of JIFF
T.+82-63-280-7922
F.+82-63-288-5411
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Member Region Gyeongsangnam-do Province
(Korea)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event 12th International Congress of
Educating Cities������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 25-29 April������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Changwon Convention Center ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Changwon City Gov.World Expo
T. +82-55-225-2406
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Member Region Jeollanam-do Province (Korea)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event The 14th Hampyeong Butterfly
Festival������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 27 April - 8 May������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Hampyeong Expo Park ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Division of Culture & Tourism,
Hampyeong County Gov.
T. +82-61-320-3349
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Member Region Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
(Korea)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event Mungyeong Traditional Chasabal
Festival 2012������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 28 April - 6 May������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Mungyeongsaejae area������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Division of Culture & Tourism,
Mungyeong City Gov.
T. +82-54-550-6395������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Website www.sabal21.com
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Member Region Daegu Metropolitan City (Korea)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event International Green Energy Expo
Korea 2012������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 28-30 March������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Daegu EXCO������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Green Energy Expo Secretariat
T. +82-53-601-5371������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Website http://www.energyexpo.co.kr/kor
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Member Region Irkutsk Region (Russia)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event Baikaltur-2012������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 29-31 March������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Irkutsk City������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Irkutsk Tourism Bureau
T./F. +7-3952-34-28-23
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Member Region Gyeongsangnam-do Province
(Korea)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Event Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur
World Expo 2012 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
When 30 March-10 June������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Where Goseong County������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Contact Organizing Committee of
Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur
World Expo
T. +82-55-670-2634
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
21 22 23 24
28 29 30 31
4 5 6 7
11 12 13 14
18 19 20 21
25 26 27 28
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Member Region Henan Province (China)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Event The 7th China Henan International
Investment & Trade Fair������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������When 22-25 March������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Where Zhengzhou City������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Contact Foreign Affairs Office of Henan
Provincial Gov.
T.+86-371-6568841
F.+86-371-6568841
NEAR This Month Events Schedule of NEAR Member Regions
The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 11
1
It is almost a year since I was seconded
from Umnu-govi Province of Mongolia and
bagan working for the Secretariat of the
Association of North East Asia. I first set foot
on Korean soil in April 2011 as a son of
steppe, who grew up at the foot of the Gurvan
Saikhan Mountains where crystal-clear
springs are found with fresh air smelling of
thyme and herds of mountain goats are
regular visitors. Now, I am just a few months
away from going back to my homeland. Since
I wanted to bring back beautiful memories
from my last days in Korea, I recently
registered in a templestay program during the
Lunar New Year holidays which Koreans call
“Seollal.” Let me share the story about the
first time that I experienced Korean Buddist
culture, martial arts and Zen meditation.
The Golgulsa Temple, where I stayed a
night, is located at the Hamwolsan Mt. which
is 26 away from Gyeongju
(Gyeongsangbuk-do Province), the capital of
the Silla Dynasty for almost a thousand years
(BC 57~AD 935). It is especially famous as
the headquaters of Sunmudo, which literally
means “the way of doing meditative martial
arts” enveloping the dynamic and powerful
movements of a martial art into the peaceful
practices of meditation, yoga, and chi qong
NEAR NEWS Vol. 42
A Night at Golgulsa - Templestay
12
Feature Report
Exp
erie
nce
Kor
ean
Bud
dhis
m, M
artia
l Art
s, Z
en M
edita
tion
and
Love
for
Nat
ure
Tse
en
ya
mb
uu
Erk
he
mb
aa
tar
A N
ight
at
Gol
guls
a
2 3
4
1. Me with my roommate Andry
2. Buddhist chanting service
3. Tea ceremony with the Sunmudo Grandmaster
4. Sunmudo, “the way of doing meditative martial arts”
Feature Report A Night at Golgulsa - Templestay
The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 13
exercises. Golgulsa offers various templestay
programs 365 days a year and one of them is
the “Celebration of the New Year” which I
joined.
When I arrived, many westerners stood out
among the newcomers who gathered from
around the world on their journey of self-
discovery. Looking at their happy faces with big
smiles made me feel happy as well.
The temple was like a big university campus,
so we had to walk quite a distance from the
lodging room to the dining place, from the
training place to the sanctuary. At the office we
were randomly assigned rooms and I met my
roommate “Andry,” a Canadian working in
Korea as English teacher. After changing into
uniforms and freshing up, we headed to the
dining place and with a warning to eat to your
fill but never leave food on the plate, the one-
night two-days temple stay at Golgulsa began
in earnest.
After attending the evening Buddhist chanting
service, we started to learn Sunmudo. First,
practicing Zen yoga, we relaxed our bodies and
sought “Samadhi,” a collective state of the mind
on one point. Next was the dynamic and
powerful movements of the body. They were
basic Sunmudo motions but it was a lot easier
seen than done. They were not only good for
your health, but also for fitness training. By
repeating the same movements with careful
control of breathing, I realized how I had
developed bad breathing habits for many years
and the greatness of human body. I felt like
having reached self-discovery and the state of
understanding.
However, the best part was yet to come: the
chanting voice of the Sunmudo Grand Master. I
could not understand the Korean words, but his
beautiful voice was like my mother's lullaby. I
felt like meeting my mother again and all my
mistakes that hurt her came to mind. The voice
still keeps echoing in my heart.
On the next day, we woke up at 04:00 o’clock
in the morning and after chanting, started sitting
meditation and 108 bows repenting of our
wrongdoings. After breakfast, we attended a
tea ceremony with the Grandmaster. Those
from the west asked many questions, probably
because they grew up in a very different
religious culture.
Through the temple stay and Zen meditation,
I came to many understandings. Since we are
born, we have lived only to gain and actually
been pretty successful in that. In particular, we
enjoy the wealth of nature from birth to death.
Everyday, we gain air, water, food and really
everything from the mother nature, but never
turn them back and even destroy it to get what
we want. Such understanding which is nothing
new hurt my heart. The nature is screaming
now. Human desire and greed is breaking the
balance of the ecosystem. If there is any
present that we can give back to the nature
now, it could be preserving our soil, addressing
water pollution, planting trees to prevent any
more desertification, I thought. Through the
temple stay, I also found that Koreans are very
warm-hearted, kind, diligent, and above all, that
they cherish and know how to love the nature.
Once again, I appreciate the NEAR
Secretariat for supporting me to wrap up my
stay in Korea with such a meaningful
experience and memory.
Program (available throughout the year)
Temple stay
- Buddhist chanting service, walking meditation, 108bows, Sunmudo training, traditional Korean archery
(KRW 50,000 per person per night)
Temple life
- Sunmudo training, public Sunmudo demonstration,tour through the temple (KRW 20,000-30,000)
Sunmudo training and public Sunmudodemonstration
- Sunmudo Demonstration, meal (KRW 10,000)
Stay for a month or longer
- Sunmudo training, prayers, sitting and walkingmeditation (KRW 900,000 per month)
Website http://www.golgulsa.com
R u s s i a
Amur
1
2
3
NEAR NEWS Vol. 42
Amur Region of Russia
AmurRegion
of Russia
14
NEAR Member Tour
Administrative Capital Blagoveshensk
Area 361,900㎢㎢
Population approx. 0.86 million (2010)
Climate Continental monsoon
Geography _ The Amur region is part of the largest
Russian Far Eastern Federal District. It shares its border
with the Sakha Republic in the north, Khabarovsk Krai
and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast in the east,
Zabaykalsky Krai in the west and China in the south
(the length of the national boundary is over 1,250 ).
Natural Resources _ There are 7 long rivers
with over 500 km of length and more than 29,000
thousand rivers with over 10 . Pine and Manchurian
mixed forests are widespread over the region. Gross
forested area of the forestry fund lands forms 22,8
million hectare. Gross annual allowable cutting rate
amounts to 17,5 million cubic meters. Main species of
wood are larch, birch, fire, pine. Softwood comprises
77% of all forest stand volume.
Mineral Resources _ Amur region occupies the
13th position among Russian regions in natural-
resources potential. Rich reserves of iron, non-iron and
rare metal, lignite, hard coal, precious metal, varied
construction materials and fresh - and mineral water
can be found there. It also occupies the 2nd position in
Russian gold mining-over 25 ton per year.
Industry _ Major industries are power generation,
lignite mining, gold mining, timber industry, machinery
and metal working. A large part of finished products is
presented by extraction of commercial minerals.
Energy _ Amur region occupies the first position in
the Far Eastern Federal District in energy generation,
accounting for 20 percent of Russia’s total power
generation.
Major energy producers are branches of JSC
“RusGidro”: Zeyskaya HPP with a capacity of 1330
MW and Bureyskaya HPP with a capacity of 1975
MW.
Timber Industry _ Timber industry complexes
include logging and woodworking companies. Amur
ranks third in timber export among regions in the Far
East and the largest share of production is exported to
China. Major export items include: processed and
unprocessed timber, timber blockings, and construction
parts.
Agriculture _ Amur region is a major agricultural
area of the Far East accounting for 53% of the tilled
field of the Far Eastern Federal District.
Major agricultural industries are farming and dairy
cattle husbandry. Poultry breeding and bee-farming are
also well-developed. To the north reindeer husbandry
and fur-farming are found. Soy, crops (wheat, oat,
barley), buckwheat, potato, vegetables are cultivated
and, in particular, Amur is a key producer of soy in
Russia making up 50% of all-Russian gross output and
70% of that of the Far East region. Over 35 % of the
soy is processed by local companies.
Construction _ A large-scale housing construction
project was launched in 2011 within the region, aimed
at creating a living floor area of 950 thousand square
meters annually by 2015.
As the project is being implemented, the construction
infrastructure business sector is growing, including
cement and glass factories, wall panels for
prefabricated buildings and construction material
plants.
Tourism _ The region is known for the following
attractions: Evenki Ethno Village, Tourist & Museum
Complex “Cossack Village,” Dinosaurs and Space
Museum and Albazin Fortress.
Transport _ Railways and roads including the
Trans-Siberian and Baikal-Amur Mainline and the
China-Khabarovsk Federal Road and three
international border entry points are under
construction.
Other Large-scale Projects _ The Vostochny Cosmodrome (“Eastern Spaceport”) is to be constructed in
Amur Region. The new rocket will be tested in 2015, with human launches of a new six-person spacecraft planned
to begin in 2018. In 2009 phase 1 of the Eastern Siberian Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline was constructed and in
2010 the Skovorodino-Daqing pipeline. Phase 2 of the ESPO pipeline construction connecting Eastern Siberian oil
deposits and Far Eastern seaports also began.
Furthermore, various sub-projects are under way to realize the “Big Export” project aimed at exporting power to
China and the Asia-Pacific region. At the current stage Amur has already exported electricity to China and
Mongolia: over 1.12 billion KWh from January through September 2011. It plans to increase the amount up to 4.5
billion KWh per year.
1. Amur Region occupies the 2nd position in Russian gold
mining
2. Cossack village
3. Fish caught in a branch of the Amur River
4. Construction of the Eastern Siberia - Pacific Ocean oil
pipeline (ESPO)
5. Construction site of the Vostochny Cosmodrome (“Eastern
Spaceport”)
4 5
NEAR Member Tour Amur Region of Russia
The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 15
Miniature of the Albazin fortress
The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments3F Pohang Technopark, #394 Jigok-no (#601 Jigok-dong), Namgu, Pohang City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, ROK
T. +82-54-223-2311~20 F. +82-54-223-2309 E-mail [email protected] Website www.neargov.org
The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments
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