NEAR news vol.43 (ENG) by NEARGOV

NEAR

News

NEAR Leading the Era of Northeast Asia 2012. 1-2

Vol. 43 The Annunciation Cathedral, Blagoveshensk, Amur region

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 Tour Amur Region of Russia

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

NEAR News â&#x20AC;&#x153;NEAR Newsâ&#x20AC;? 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).

6 Vol. 43

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

Special Contribution

Northeast Asia, at the Center of the “Century of Asia” NEAR must lay the foundation for community building 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 KIM Jae-Hyo, Secretary General of NEAR

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 selfconfidence, participation and growth. Best wishes for continued prosperity and growth to all NEAR members.

NEAR NEWS Vol. 42

NEAR Activities

NEAR This Month

NEAR Activities The 10th Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention to Be Held in Hyogo

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 10 Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention will be held on 12-15 March in Kobe City of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Representatives and

the experiences and lessons of the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake to the

disaster prevention officials from each participating member regions will

world), E-Defense (3-D full-scale earthquake testing facility), Miki

attend the lecture on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Support between Regions for Restoration from the

Disaster Prevention Park and Kobe Fire Department; and CPR and AED

Great East Japan Earthquakeâ&#x20AC;? and participate in simulation exercises at

programs for training valuable lifesaving skills.

NEAR Events Schedule 2012 Title

The 10 Sub-Committee on Disaster Prevention

The 1st Sub-Committee on Energy & Climate Change

When

Where

Contact

12-15 March

Kobe City, Hyogo Pref. (Japan)

Disaster Management & Planning Bureau, Hyogo Prefectural Gov. T.+81-78-362-9870 F.+81-78-362-9914

May

Daegu Metropolitan City (Korea)

Green Energy Division, Daegu Metropolitan City Gov. T. +82-53-803-3575 F. +82-53-803-3059 E.mail: jhkim0204@korea.kr

Yuehai Hotel, Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region(China)

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

1. 2 - 8 August 2. 8 - 9 October

Shimane Pref.(Japan)

Culture and International Affairs Division, Shimane Prefectural Gov. T. +81-852-22-6464 F. +81-852-22-6412

Oct.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Prov.(Korea)

Division of Economy & Trade, Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Gov. T. +82-53-950-3033 F. +82-53-950-2177 E-mail: king2010@korea.kr

Henan Prov.(China)

Foreign Affairs Office of Henan Provincial Gov. T. +86-371-65688841 F. +86-371-65688841

The 9th General Assembly

24 - 27 July

The Sub-Committee on Education & Cultural Exchange (1. Wings of Exchange of Northeast Asia in Shimane 2. Northeast Asia Cultural Palette)

NEAR Events

Sub-Committee on Economy & Trade

Sub-Committee on Tourism

Secretariat

Tbc

Sub-Committee on Mineral Resources Development & Coordination

Tbc

Magadan Region(Russia)

NEAR Working-level Workshop

May

Tbc

Economic Committee of Magadan Regional Administration T. +7-4132-623171 F. +7-4132-627761 E-mail: kom_ec@regadm.magadan.ru NEAR Secretariat

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

NEAR This Month

Secretariat News / NEAR Member News

Secretariat News Announcement of Appointment HWANG Young-Seok, who had worked at the Secretariat since February 2011 resigned in January 2012 and KIM Jong-Hak is appointed HWANG Young-Seok, former General Director

as the new General Director of the Secretariat.

KIM, Jong-Hak, new General Director of the NEAR Secretariat

NEAR Member News Heilongjiang Province - China

and facilitate the prosperity and harmony of the whole Chinese society. Also, by declaring 2012 as the reciprocal “Tourism Year between China

2012 China Happiness & Health Tour China-Russia Tourism Year Launched

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.

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

Henan Province - China

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 7th China (Henan) International Fair for Investment and Trade to Be Held in March in Zhengzhou

the connotation of tourism, promote physical health and self-cultivation 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 Zhu Shanzhong, Vice Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration declares the opening of the 2012 China Happiness & Health Tour China-Russia Tourism Year

Lunar Calendar) in Xinzheng, the birthplace of the Emperor Huang.

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region China The 22nd National Book Expo to Be Held in Ningxia 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 The grand opening ceremony

Chinese media and publication circles and has been successfully organized

(Source: http://www.cnta.gov.cn/html/2012-1/2012-1-6-8-44-30000.html)

for 21 sessions until now. Under the theme of “Ningxia Book Expo,

NEAR NEWS Vol. 42

NEAR Member News

NEAR This Month

Wisdom that Favors All,” it gives prominence to the geographical and

Tottori Prefecture - Japan

cultural characteristics of Ningxia and involves all kinds books of China aiming to reach more readers nationwide. The main venue of this expo

Welcome to Manga Kingdom Tottori!

will be located in the Yinchuan International Convention and Exhibition Centre with the branch venues in four cities including Shizuishan,

As the hometown of popular cartoon artists such as Shigeru Mizuki of

Wuzhong, Zhongwei and Guyuan. (The official website of the 22nd

the well-known “Gegege no Kitaro (Kitaro of the Graveyard)” series, Jiro

National Books Expo is http://www.22sbh.com/)

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 nd

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is selected as the host of the 22 National Books Expo

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.

Toyama Prefecture - Japan The World Festival of Children’s Performing Art in Toyama 2012 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. Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai successfully bid to host the 13th International Comic Artist Conference at the 11th of its kind in Beijing.

Closing Performance of the 1st World Festival of Children’s Performing Arts in Toyama (2008)

The World Festival of Children’s Performing Arts in Toyama 2012 Organized by The Executive Committee of the World Festival of Children’s Performing Arts in Toyama 2012 Contact T. +81-76-441-8635 (Extension 123) Website http://www.pref.toyama.jp/sections/1718/pat/ (Japanese)

The 13th International Comic Artist Conference in Tottori 2012 When 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 Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

NEAR This Month Busan Metropolitan City - Korea

NEAR Member News

(CEO Alfonso Juste) signed an investment MOU for the establishment of the Yeongyang Second Wind Power Generator Complex. With this,

The 1st Korea-Mongolia Folk Wrestling Marking the 20-year Anniversary of Korea and Mongolia Diplomatic Ties

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.

In commemoration of the 20 anniversary of the establishment of Koreast

Through this investment, once the 10 additional mills are added to the

Mongolia diplomatic relations, the 1 Korea-Mongolia Folk Wrestling was

first complex, and the 72 units are completed in the Cheongseong Wind

held on 15 January in Busan Metropolitan City, Korea, attended by

Power Generation Complex, it will become the nation’s largest wind

Mongolian Ambassador to Seoul Dorjpalam Gerel, Mongolian Honorary

power generation complex with a total of 142 units (annual generation

Consul in Busan BANG Young-Jin and Chairman of Busan Wrestling

volume 586,000MW/h). Also, the northern Gyeongbuk region is expected

Association (BWA) CHOI Hyun-Dol. In the competition, 16 professional

to enter the “Zero Fossil Fuel Age.”

wrestlers from Mongolia and amateurs selected among Mongolians living

Acciona is a company specializing in new renewable energy based in

in Korea and 16 players from member high schools and universities of the

northern Spain ane the second largest company of the world in the wind

BWA competed in both Korean folk wrestling and Mongolian wrestling

power generation sector.

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.

Ulsan Metropolitan City - Korea Ulsan Achieved USD 100 billion in Export for the First Time in 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

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, Governor KWON Yeong-Taek of Yeongyang County)

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,

Ulaanbaatar City - Mongolia

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

The 2nd Asian University Women’s Volleyball Championship will be held in Ulaanbaatar

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 Asian University Women’s Volleyball Championship will be held on 9-15 April in Ulaanbaatar. So far teams of 8 countries including

the trade deficit was financed by foreign aid, Ulsan has transformed its

Thailand, Uzbekistan, Nepal, China, Sri-Lanka, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan

economy from traditional agricultural produce to high-tech and value-

and Mongolia have been registered to participate in the competition.

added products to become a leading centre for logistics and trade in

Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong are expected to join as well.

Northeast Asian and beyond.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Province - Korea

Altai Territory - Russia “Altai Tour, Altai Kurort 2012”

Gyeongsangbuk-do signed Investment MOU to Install More Generators at Yeongyang Wind Generation Complex

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,

On 9 January, Gyeongsangbuk-do (governor KIM Gwan-yong), Yeongyang-gun (county governor KWON Yeong-taek) and Acciona

NEAR NEWS Vol. 42

recreational facilities and resorts, investment projects, hotel industry, adventure tourism, sports tourism, rural tourism, eco-tourism, sanatorium-

NEAR Member News

NEAR This Month

and-spa treatment, business tourism, cultural and educational tourism,

Kemerovo Region - Russia

family recreation, youth travel, leisure equipments, souvenirs, handicrafts and many others. Every year the exhibition attracts a lot of visitors and professionals,

Consul General of Mongolia in Irkutsk Paid Official Visit to Kemerovo

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.

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

The beautiful nature and comfortable leisure facilities of Altai Territory

meetings.

Contacts Department of Tourism and Sanatorium Complex, Altai Territorial Government T. +7-3852-20-1031 E-mail: tourism_22@mail.ru Meeting between Kemerovo region and Mongolian delegations

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

NEAR This Month

Events of NEAR Member Regions

March 2012. 3.

April

Events Schedule of NEAR Member Regions

Sunday

Monday 18

19 Member Region Event When Where Contact

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Nuclear Energy KOREA 2012

Tuesday

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Busan Metropolitan City (Korea) Nuclear Energy KOREA 2012 19-21 March Busan Metropolitan City BEXCO Busan Metropolitan City BEXCO T. +82-51-740-3420 F. +82-51-740-3404

2012. 4.

10 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

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NEAR NEWS Vol. 42

Events Schedule of NEAR Member Regions

NEAR This Month

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 23

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

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28 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

29 Member Region Event When Where Contact

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Irkutsk Region (Russia) Baikaltur-2012 29-31 March Irkutsk City 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

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5 Member Region Event When Where Contact

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Henan Province (Chian) The 30th Luoyang Peony Festival 4 April -10 May Luoyang City 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 Intâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Vegetable Exposition T.+86-536-5678217 F.+86-536-5678213 E-mail shouguang2002@163.com Website www.sgcbh.com

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25 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

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26 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

27 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

28 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

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The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

Experience Korean Buddhism, Martial Arts, Zen Meditation and Love for Nature Tseenyambuu Erkhembaatar

A Night at Golgulsa

Feature Report

A Night at Golgulsa - Templestay

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

Feature Report

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”

exercises. Golgulsa offers various templestay

your health, but also for fitness training. By

turn them back and even destroy it to get what

programs 365 days a year and one of them is

repeating the same movements with careful

we want. Such understanding which is nothing

the “Celebration of the New Year” which I

control of breathing, I realized how I had

new hurt my heart. The nature is screaming

joined.

developed bad breathing habits for many years

now. Human desire and greed is breaking the

and the greatness of human body. I felt like

balance of the ecosystem. If there is any

among the newcomers who gathered from

having reached self-discovery and the state of

present that we can give back to the nature

around the world on their journey of self-

understanding.

now, it could be preserving our soil, addressing

When I arrived, many westerners stood out

discovery. Looking at their happy faces with big smiles made me feel happy as well.

However, the best part was yet to come: the

water pollution, planting trees to prevent any

chanting voice of the Sunmudo Grand Master. I

more desertification, I thought. Through the

could not understand the Korean words, but his

temple stay, I also found that Koreans are very

so we had to walk quite a distance from the

beautiful voice was like my mother's lullaby. I

warm-hearted, kind, diligent, and above all, that

lodging room to the dining place, from the

felt like meeting my mother again and all my

they cherish and know how to love the nature.

training place to the sanctuary. At the office we

mistakes that hurt her came to mind. The voice

were randomly assigned rooms and I met my

still keeps echoing in my heart.

The temple was like a big university campus,

roommate “Andry,” a Canadian working in

On the next day, we woke up at 04:00 o’clock

Korea as English teacher. After changing into

in the morning and after chanting, started sitting

uniforms and freshing up, we headed to the

meditation and 108 bows repenting of our

dining place and with a warning to eat to your

wrongdoings. After breakfast, we attended a

fill but never leave food on the plate, the one-

tea ceremony with the Grandmaster. Those

night two-days temple stay at Golgulsa began

from the west asked many questions, probably

in earnest.

because they grew up in a very different

After attending the evening Buddhist chanting service, we started to learn Sunmudo. First,

religious culture. Through the temple stay and Zen meditation,

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, 108 bows, 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)

practicing Zen yoga, we relaxed our bodies and

I came to many understandings. Since we are

sought “Samadhi,” a collective state of the mind

born, we have lived only to gain and actually

Sunmudo training and public Sunmudo demonstration

on one point. Next was the dynamic and

been pretty successful in that. In particular, we

- Sunmudo Demonstration, meal (KRW 10,000)

powerful movements of the body. They were

enjoy the wealth of nature from birth to death.

basic Sunmudo motions but it was a lot easier

Everyday, we gain air, water, food and really

seen than done. They were not only good for

everything from the mother nature, but never

Stay for a month or longer - Sunmudo training, prayers, sitting and walking meditation (KRW 900,000 per month) Website

http://www.golgulsa.com

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

NEAR Member Tour

Amur Region of Russia

Administrative Capital Blagoveshensk Area

㎢ 361,900㎢

Population

approx. 0.86 million (2010)

Climate

Continental monsoon

R u s s i a

Amur

Amur Region

of Russia 2

NEAR NEWS Vol. 42

Amur Region of Russia

NEAR Member Tour

Geography _ The Amur region is part of the largest

Energy _ Amur region occupies the first position in

Construction _ A large-scale housing construction

Russian Far Eastern Federal District. It shares its border

the Far Eastern Federal District in energy generation,

project was launched in 2011 within the region, aimed

with the Sakha Republic in the north, Khabarovsk Krai

accounting for 20 percent of Russia’s total power

at creating a living floor area of 950 thousand square

and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast in the east,

generation.

meters annually by 2015.

Zabaykalsky Krai in the west and China in the south

Major energy producers are branches of JSC

As the project is being implemented, the construction

(the length of the national boundary is over 1,250 ).

“RusGidro”: Zeyskaya HPP with a capacity of 1330

infrastructure business sector is growing, including

MW and Bureyskaya HPP with a capacity of 1975

cement and glass factories, wall panels for

MW.

prefabricated buildings and construction material

Natural Resources _ There are 7 long rivers

plants.

with over 500 km of length and more than 29,000 thousand rivers with over 10 . Pine and Manchurian

Timber Industry _ Timber industry complexes

mixed forests are widespread over the region. Gross

include logging and woodworking companies. Amur

Tourism _ The region is known for the following

forested area of the forestry fund lands forms 22,8

ranks third in timber export among regions in the Far

attractions: Evenki Ethno Village, Tourist & Museum

million hectare. Gross annual allowable cutting rate

East and the largest share of production is exported to

Complex “Cossack Village,” Dinosaurs and Space

amounts to 17,5 million cubic meters. Main species of

China. Major export items include: processed and

Museum and Albazin Fortress.

wood are larch, birch, fire, pine. Softwood comprises

unprocessed timber, timber blockings, and construction

77% of all forest stand volume.

parts.

Mineral Resources _ Amur region occupies the

Agriculture _ Amur region is a major agricultural

13th position among Russian regions in natural-

area of the Far East accounting for 53% of the tilled

resources potential. Rich reserves of iron, non-iron and

field of the Far Eastern Federal District.

rare metal, lignite, hard coal, precious metal, varied

Major agricultural industries are farming and dairy

construction materials and fresh - and mineral water

cattle husbandry. Poultry breeding and bee-farming are

can be found there. It also occupies the 2 position in

also well-developed. To the north reindeer husbandry

Russian gold mining-over 25 ton per year.

and fur-farming are found. Soy, crops (wheat, oat,

Miniature of the Albazin fortress

barley), buckwheat, potato, vegetables are cultivated

Transport _ Railways and roads including the

Industry _ Major industries are power generation,

and, in particular, Amur is a key producer of soy in

Trans-Siberian and Baikal-Amur Mainline and the

lignite mining, gold mining, timber industry, machinery

Russia making up 50% of all-Russian gross output and

China-Khabarovsk Federal Road and three

and metal working. A large part of finished products is

70% of that of the Far East region. Over 35 % of the

international border entry points are under

presented by extraction of commercial minerals.

soy is processed by local companies.

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 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”)

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.

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments

The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments 3F 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 neargov@hotmail.co.kr Website www.neargov.org