NEAR news vol.43 (ENG)

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.


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


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


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


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

��

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


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


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


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

Documents

NEAR news vol.43 (ENG)