Vol. 63NEAR Working-level Workshop 2015

NEARNewsOne Northeast Asia Region, One Community NEAR2015. 7-8

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

PioNEAR Memories of the Professional Internship Program of NEAR - Tuvan State University of Republic of Tuva, Russia

Feature Report NEAR Working-level Workshop 2015 I Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015

NEAR Member Tour Shimane Prefecture, Japan

The Association of Northeast Asia Regional

Governments

Shimane Prefecture, Japan- The Tea Culture of Matsue

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NEAR News“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 is...a representative regional diplomacy cooperation and international organization by 78 regional governments (73 member regions and 5 observers) in 6 Northeast Asian countries, including South Korea, China, Japan, Russia, North Korea, and Mongolia.Since the adoption of the NEAR Charter based on mutual prosperity, NEAR has carried out extensive exchange and cooperation projects in various fields ranging from economy and humanities exchange, education & cultural exchange, environment, disaster prevention, cross-border cooperation, science & technology, ocean & fisheries, tourism, mineral resources development & coordination, energy & climate change, women & children, bio-medical industry to agriculture.Partnering with and promoting joint projects by strengthening the exchange with international organizations such as AER (The Assembly of European Regions), the largest independent network of regional authorities in Europe, and R-20 (Regions of Climate Action), NEAR takes the lead in building an international cooperative network communicating with the world beyond Northeast Asia.

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

The Association of Northeastesia Regional

Governments

Secretariat NewsSecretariat Delegation Visited Chair Region

Secretariat delegation headed by NEAR Secretary General Jun Jae-won officially visited Irkutsk Region, Russia, NEAR chair region from April 28 to May 2.

Since Secretary General Jun’s inauguration, he visited the chair region for the first time. He met with Governor Eroschenko Sergey of Irkutsk and engaged in in-depth discussion on handling NEAR affairs, including the 10th Working Committee which is to be held in October.

In the meeting with Governor of Irkutsk, Secretary General Jun expressed his willingness to do his best for NEAR development by drawing upon diplomatic experience for the past 35 years and received a Congratulatory Certificate from the Governor to celebrate Secretary General Jun’s inauguration. Governor Eroschenko Sergey expressed his gratitude for having the role of chair and stressed that Irkutsk will work closely together with the NEAR Secretariat to deal with current affairs of NEAR for harmony among member regions and development in Northeast Asia.

Also, Secretary General Jun visited Irkutsk State University and the foreign language department of Eurasia Linguistic Institute and promoted the role of NEAR to pursue prosperity and development in Northeast Asia encouraging professors and students who teach and study for future investment toward global era.

Furthermore, Secretariat delegation exchanged opinions on the way to develop Irkutsk while discussing how to cooperate for the NEAR Working Committee which is to be held in Irkutsk and NEAR General Assembly at the meeting with Consul General Park Jung-nam of Korean Consulate General in Irkutsk, Russia.

NEAR ActivitiesSub-Committee on Sports Scheduled for July 15~17

The 1st Sub-Committee on Sports is scheduled for July 15-17 in Republic of Sakha, Russia to arrange a forum for peace, cooperation, and reconciliation of Northeast Asia through sports exchange among member regions.

The Sub-committee will introduce a variety of experiences regarding NEAR sports development by member regions and policies to enhance healthy life style. Also, the Sub-Committee will prepare opinion exchange on a cooperative project for sports and deal with suggestions to increase efficiency of the Sub-Committee. Attendees will participate in the ‘Children of Asia,’ an international sports game held in Yakutsk City to experience Sakha’s sports infrastructures and visit tourist attractions while watching Yakutiya’s traditional sports.

Sub-Committee on Educational and Cultural Exchange to be held on July 31~August 5

‘The 2015 Wing of Exchange in Northeast Asia in Shimane’ is to be held on July 31 to August 5 in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan to promote mutual understanding and friendly exchange between members and establish a new network of Northeast Asian regions.

The topic of this year is “Understanding of the multi culture.” The program includes home-stay, experience of traditional culture, and visit to theme related facilities. The age of participants is 18~30. 30 people from China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, and Russia are expected to attend the event.

The schedule is as follows.

Date Schedule Venue

July 31 Morning

Arrival at Matsue City, Shimane Welcome Party, Self-introduction and Introduction of Shimane Prefecture Exchange Activities

Shimane International Training Center of Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture

August 1 Morning Afternoon

Home-stay OrientationWelcome Meeting & Home-stay

Home-stay in Shimane Prefecture

August 2 All day Home-stay Home-stay in Shimane Prefecture

August 3 Morning

Afternoon Meeting, Field-trip,Field-trip, Experience of Japanese Culture

Kirara Cottage of Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture

August 4 Morning

Afternoon

Group Activities, Opinion Exchange MeetingFarewell Party and Dinner

Shimane International Training Center of Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture

August 5 Morning Departure

Sub-Committee on Economy and Humanities Exchange to be held on August 26~28

The 11th Sub-Committee on Economy and Humanities Exchange is scheduled for August 26-28 in Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province to solve joint pending issues on economy and humanities which are common interest in Northeast Asia and to study best cases by inviting economy and humanities related speakers from member regions.

The Sub-Committee meeting is composed of keynote talks, discussions, case presentations, and special lectures. On the last day, visitors will watch ‘Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015’ which is held in Gyeongju City.

NEAR This Month NEAR Activities / Secretariat News

NEAR NEWS Vol. 634

Participation in an Unveiling Ceremony for Korea-China Friendship Tower,

Shaanxi Province, China

Secretary General Jun Jae-won participated in an unveiling ceremony for the Korea-China Friendship Tower held in Shaanxi Province, China on May 18. The Friendship Tower which is full scale of Dabotap in the period of united Silla and National Treasure no. 20 was established at Taohua Tan in Chan-Ba National Wetland Park, Xian City. The ceremony was held to promote cultural exchange among both countries which have been close since signing sisterhood ties between Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea and Shaanxi, China and to expand economy and trade.

Meanwhile, the ceremony was attended by more than 300 people, including Governor Kim Kwan-yong of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Governor Lou Qinjian of Shaanxi Province, head Won Yong-gi of Culture and Art Policy Division of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Consul General Lee Gang-geuk of Korean Consulate General in Xian, and Buddhist monk Sung-ta of Bulkuksa.

Jilin Province-China

The first trilateral summit in 1999 started to make three countries’ cooperation perfect over the period of ten years’ development.

Trilateral Regional Government Cooperative Conference co-hosted by the People’s Government of Jilin and the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) is scheduled on August 30-September 2, 2015 to boost exchange and cooperation among trilateral regional governments and to create an exchange platform for economic and trade cooperation of trilateral companies.

Government officials of each country, heads of regional governments, diplomats in China, economic organizations, and representatives of each company have been invited to the conference and more than 300 people will participate in the conference which has the theme of prospect for cooperation among regional governments under a framework of trilateral FTA and the Changjitu (Changchun , Jilin and Tumen River) Project. The conference is expected to make a positive effect on promotion of exchange and cooperation among trilateral regional governments and co-development.

Kyoto Prefecture-Japan

7 municipal areas of the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan have been recognized as a tourist zone. Themed ‘Sea Kyoto,’ Kyoto tries

to make itself a tourist attraction with a great charm of sea and ‘Kyoto’ brand.

The 1st Trilateral Regional Government Cooperative Conference and Economy & Trade Project Matching

Conference to be held in Changchun at the end of August

Logo of “Northeast Asia Expo” a representative international

event of Jilin Province

'Sea Kyoto Expo' held as a Place for Knowledge and Play

Heilongjiang Province-China

Wetlands of Heilongjiang Province

Heilongjiang Province, located in the northernmost Chinese county is a popular tourist attraction for winter and summer due to unique geographical position and abundant resources. Heilongjiang Province has China’s largest freshwater wetlands, which is China’s fourth-largest area of wetland. Based on wetland resources, Heilongjiang Province is promoting eco-tour with cold region wetlands’ uniqueness themed a chronological change of wetland, national, and rural culture. Heilongjiang Province has designated 87 wetland nature reserves and 58 wetland parks until today. Eight places, including Zhalong, Xingkai Lake, and Zhenzhu(Pearl) Island in Heilongjiang Province are registered in the International Wetland Parks.

Heilongjiang Province plans to launch 20 wetland-specialized tourist products this summer. First of all, 10 tourism attractions such as Harbin Wanqingsongjiang, Zhalong, and Xingkai Lake wetlands are to be displayed. In particular, two types of theme lines “Volcanic Wetland” and “The Eastern-edge of China” will make tourist enjoy beautiful wetland views.

Let’s go on a vacation to Heilongjiang Province!

NEAR Member News

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Gwangju Metropolitan City-South Korea

The 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade, organized as a sports and cultural festival for university around the world will take place from July 3-4 in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollabuk-do Province, and Jeollanam-do Province. Under the slogan of “Light Up Tomorrow,” the concept of the 2015 Gwangju Universiade is ‘EPIC’ (Eco, Peace, IT, Culture) to interact with young generation and share vision through Eco-versiade to show the beauty of nature and urban regeneration, Peace-versiade to become one beyond the borders, IT-versiade to provide optimized game management and cutting-edge technology, and Culture-versiade to experience Gwangju’s traditional culture and diversity.

The Universiade is expected to attract more than 20,000 people from 170 countries. The number of attendances seconded only to the 2014 Incheon Asian Game which was participated by 14,000 from 45 countries and 2012 London Olympic which was participated by 16,000 people from 204 countries. Gwangju Metropolitan City is prepared to be a hosting city of Universiade.

4,000 volunteers who will make its sports festival a successful one are waiting for the opening day after they are all prepared. They are determined to make its sports festival a athlete-oriented festival focusing on athlete’s safety and convenience through flawless progress in the games, accommodation, welcoming ceremony, transportation, and medical services.

The athletes will be competing in 13 compulsory and 8 optional sports. Compulsory sports include gymnastics, basketball, diving, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball, water polo, swimming, judo, track and field, football, table tennis, tennis, and fencing and optional sports include golf, badminton, fire, baseball, archery, rowing, taekwondo, and handball.

Uvs Province-Mongolia

Mongolian Government and Economic Forum of Mongolia co-hosted the Investment Forum of the Western Region of Mongolia on June 25~26. Participants could be able to get information on large scale investment project for development of the western region of Mongolia and promotion of regional exchange. It was good chance for them to know culture and custom of Uvs Province, the westernmost of the 21 provinces of Mongolia.

The forum was attended by each embassy in Mongolia, representatives of international organizations, Russia Siberian Federal District, China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and representatives of large companies from Germany, Taiwan, Japan, and Mongolia.

2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade held

Nuribi Figure, Mascot of the Universiade Gwangju

The Investment Forum of the Western Region of Mongolia held

With the opening of KYOTO-JUKAN EXPRESSWAY from July 18 to November 15, ‘Sea Kyoto Expo’ composed of a variety of contents such as events, festivals, and abundant foods along with travel packages which allow visitors to experience history and culture are to be held. In particular, water projection show will be held on July 19 around Uuuhigaura beach in Kyotango City as a main event of opening ceremony. Water projection which has the largest scale in Japan will show a video with the motif of ‘Sea Kyoto’ myth. In addition, visitors can see sunset mingling with light and spectacle shows will be shown around fountains.

‘Sea Kyoto Expo’ promotes increase in its number of tourists, and Kyoto’s revitalization by spreading the tour to enjoy nature with the appeal of history, culture, sea, and village.

Please refer to the official website (http://www.uminokyotohaku.jp/) for more details.

Tottori Prefecture-Japan

Tottori Prefecture aims to create ‘Walking Resort Tottori’ which promotes regional prosperity and human and region’s health. As part of this activity, ‘Asia Trails Conference Tottori, international walking conference’ is scheduled from October 16 to 18. Lectures and walking related exhibitions will be provided to the public along with international conferences for walking related staff.

Walking Conference which is held on October 17 and 18 has prepared three walking courses to enjoy a rich history, culture, and clean nature, including Mitoku Mountain, Misasa Onsen hot spring, Utsubuki Mountain, Akagawara (red tile roof), and recreation areas around the first Togo pond officially recognized by the International Nordic Walking Federation.

Tottori Prefecture will make our utmost efforts for all of you to enjoy ‘Asia Trails Conference Tottori.’ I hope that many of you will participate.

Asia Trails Conference Tottori to be held

NEAR This Month NEAR Member News

NEAR NEWS Vol. 636

Dundgovi Province-Mongolia

“MONGOLIA ACTION ASIA 3 DAY ULTRA MARATHON” was held on June 19~21 at Delgertsogt Sum of Dundgovi Province. 150 athletes from Mongolia and other nations participated in the game which has been held by Hong Kong’s ‘Action Asia Events’ with the purpose of introducing Asian nations. 80 percent of participants came from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan and the other 20 percent of the participant came from the United States, Australia, and European countries. Participants completed a 100km challenge for three days.

The Marathon was co-hosted by New Juulchin travel agency from Mongolia and Environment and Tour Division of Dundgovi Province and extra activities included Dundgovi Provincial art group’s performance and handicraft exhibition.

For more information, http://www.actionasiaevents.com/our-events/2015-mongolia-ultra/overview.html

Magadan Territory-Russia

The 2nd International Magadan Investment Fair will take place on July 17-18 in Magadan (Russia), hosted by Magadan government. Among the participants in the Fair there are companies, financial organizations, government agencies,

international organizations, Russian Far East, and representatives of associations of business and academic circles.

The 1st International Magadan Investment Fair held last year was a successful event as governments, regional companies, and investors provided a mutually beneficial platform and the Fair was decided to be held every year since then.

The program of the Fair includes investment project-related events such as plenery session, business negotiation, round tables and regional event ‘Championship Gold.’ One of the events is ‘Minex Seminar,’ by the Mining Association of Russia to discuss geographical project development.

Meanwhile, Magadan Region is an attractive place to investors with infinite potentials because it creates favorable legal environment and offers comfortable investment climate. Also it is open to Russia and overseas partners. The Fair is expected to provide mutually beneficial time to governments and companies and to realize sucessful and prospering investment projects along with long-term partnership.

Please refer to the website for more details. www.magfer.ru, www.49gov.ru.

“MONGOLIA ACTION ASIA 3 DAY ULTRA MARATHON” held

The 2nd International Magadan Investment Fair to be held

Altai Territory-Russia

Altai Territory has various ethnic cultures and it is a valuable resource for Altai tour. Many different races from Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and Germany live in Altai. Going through the Demidov period (1727~1745), the Cabinet period (1747~1893), the Stolypin reforms, the 2nd World War, and Virgin Lands Campaign to pioneer Central Asia and West Siberia since the late 1950’s, many different people came to Altai for a short 300-year-old history. These various people stimulate curiosity of people who visit Altai by preserving their own traditional property.

Folklore tour of Altai Territory has a positive effect on revitalization, preservation, and development of region’s traditional crafts, history, and cultural heritage. 150 ethnic groups are currently living in Altai territory and it is a foundation of food culture development and regional tour because they have distinctive traditional food and native culture.

Altai Territory held International Traditional Culture Festival on June 12 at the ‘Biryu Joe Baya Cartoon’ Special Economic Zone. For more information, please refer to http://www.visitaltai.info or contact. +7 3852 20-10-37(Altai Territory’s Tourism Center).

Altai delegation headed by Vice Governor Besar Tambov of Altai Territory visited Gangwon-do Province, South Korea. They talked about cooperation between two regions and established a friendship agreement. Two parties decided to cooperate for development in economy, science and technology, and culture.

Altai delegation with corporate delegation visited Wonju Medical Instrument Techno Park, Wonju Enterprise City, and Wonju Sevrance Christian Hospital after the agreement ceremony and had a meeting at Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation.

Altai Territory’s Folklore and Culture Festival held

Altai Territory and Gangwon-do Province Established a Friendship Agreement

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• Region : Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea

• Event : Sub-Committee on Economy and Humanities Exchange

• When : August 26~28 • Where : Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Province • Contact : Global Trade Cooperation Division of

Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Office T. +82-53-950-2278

• Region : Daegu Metropolitan City, South Korea

• Event : The 6th International LED & Display

• When : August 19~21 • Where : Daegu EXCO • Contact : LED+ Secretariat

T. +82-53-601-5398 http://www.lndexpo.co.kr/kor

• Region : Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea

• Event : The 3rd Jeju International Cruise Forum

• When : August 28 • Where : Jeju Island • Contact : Ocean Industry Division of Jeju

Special Self-Governing Province T. +82-64-710-3227

• Region : Altai Territory, Russia • Event : International Youth Management

Forum ‘Altai Regional Growth’ • When : August • Where : Belakuriha City • Contact : Education and Youth Policy

Division of Altai Territory T. +7-3852-63-59-22 E. educ@ttb.ru

• Region : Shimane Prefecture, Japan • Event : Sub-Committee on Educational

& Cultural Exchange • When : July 31~August 5• Where : Shimane Prefecture • Contact : Cultural Division of Environment

and Life Department, Shimane Prefecture T. +81-852-22-6464 F. +81-852-22-6412

• Region : Sakhalin Region, Russia • Event : The 6th Sakhalin International

Flower Festival • When : July 29~August 2 • Where : Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk City • Contact : Cultural Division of Sakhalin

T. +7-4242-72-45-09 +7-4242 -50-56-26

• Region : Republic of Sakha, Russia• Event : Sub-Committee on Sports• When : July 15~17• Where : Yakutsk City • Contact : External Affairs Division of

Republic of Sakha T. +7-4112-34-06-07

• Region : Republic of Khakassia, Russia • Event : The 4th International History and

Culture Forum ‘Siber-il’ • When : July 1~3 • Where : Abakan city • Contact : Cultural Division of Republic of

Khakassia T. +7-3902-29-51-01

• Region : Altai Territory, Russia• Event : International Food Forum • When : July • Where : Barnaul City • Contact : Economy and Investment

Division of Altai Territory T. +7-3852-63-48-04 E. econom@alregn.ru

• Region : Tuv Province, Mongolia • Event : Northeast Asia Female Leaders’

Forum • When : July • Where : Zuunmod City • Contact : Tuv Provincial Office

T. +976-7027-3084 E. Chimgeet@mail.ru

NEAR This Month Schedule of NEAR Member

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• Region : Primorsky Territory, Russia • Event : The 10th International Fisheries

Meeting • When : August 27~28• Where : Vladivostok City • Contact : Fishery and Water Resources

Division of Primorsky Territory T.+7-423-220-93-02 E. fishing@primorsky.ru

• Region : Sakhalin Region, Russia• Event : The 5th Sakhalin International

Film Festival ‘On the Edge’• When : August 21~28• Where : Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk City• Contact :

• Region : Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea

• Event : Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015

• When : August 1~October 30 • Where : Gyeongju City,

Gyeongsangbuk-do Province • Contact : Organizing Committee of

Gyeongju World Culture Expo T. +82-54-740-3021

• Region : Jeollabuk-do Province, South Korea • Event : The 9th World Taekwondo Culture

Expo • When : July 10~15 • Where : Muju, Jeonju, Saemangeum • Contact : Taekwondo Sports Industry Team

of Sports Policy Division, Jeollabuk-do Provincial Office T. +82-63-280-3363

• Region : Hyogo Prefecture, Japan • Event : The 30th International Symposium

on Space Technology and Science • When : July 4~10• Where : Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture • Contact : Hyogo·Kobe’s Regional

Business Executive Committee Secretariat T. +81-78-303-0029

• Region : Shandong Province, China • Event : China (Penglai) International

Wine Festival 2015 • When : July 3~5• Where : Penglai, Yentai City • Contact : T. +86-531-8606-1765

• Region : Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea

• Event : Gyeongnam International Art Fair 2015

• When : July 2~5• Where : Changwon Convention Center (CECO)• Contact : Changwon Convention Center

Business Team T. +82-55-212-1011

• Region : Magadan Region, Russia • Event : Magadan International

Investment Expo • When : July 17~18• Where : Magadan City• Contact : Economic Development

·Investment Policy·Innovation Division of Magadan Region T.+7-4132-62-04-52 www.magfer.ru

NEAR This Month Schedule of NEAR Member

The Association of Northeast Asia Regional Governments 9

When I arrived in Russia early in April, 2014, three things - snow, coniferous tree, and breath remained on my memory. I was excited to see the ‘chilly’ view which has gone through my head whenever I thought of Russia.

It was a long journey to come to Tuva, Russia. After arriving in Krasnoyarsk via Incheon and Beijing, I was supposed to take a small plane, bus, or taxi. While preparing for leaving Korea, I heard from the Tuvan State University that it takes about 14 hours if I use bus. It was a challenge for me to take the bus because I have had no experience to take the bus for such a long time.

As driving a long distance in Russia also made drivers feel too much pressure, two drivers drove the bus turn and turn. Passengers stopped by the rest area to go to the rest room and have a meal. When returning to Korea, I took a bus from Tuva to Irkutsk to take a flight at Irkutsk for 32 hours. The bus didn’t stop by the rest area and it was very special experience more than expected.

After experiencing the vast land of Russia, I realized that Kyzyl, the capital of the Republic of Tuva, is a small city. The Tuvan people adjacent to Mongolia looked very similar in appearance with Koreans. They share similarities not only in faces but also in languages with Koreans. Tuva uses Russian and Tuvan language as an official language.

Memories of the Professional Internship Program of NEAR(PioNEAR)NEAR Secretariat has managed PioNEAR Internship Program since 2014 to provide youths of member regions with an opportunity to work for companies or organizations of other member regions, create jobs, and promote cultural exchange. A student named Lee Young-eun and majoring in Korean language & literature in the Korea National University of Transportation was dispatched to Republic of Tuva of Russia as a Korean language teacher for four months in 2014 and has been working at the school this year is supposed to complete the internship program soon.

Victory Day- Lee Young-eun

PioNEAR Memories of the Professional Internship Program of NEAR (PioNEAR)

Tuvan State University of Republic of Tuva, Russia- Lee Young-eun, Division of Korean Language & Literature, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Korea National University of Transportation

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As the word order of Tuvan is similar to that of Korean and Russian has no ‘ŋ(finanl consonant o),’ it was useful for me to teach students.

The students who took the Korean language course had a lot of interests in Korea ranging from Korean dramas and idols to entrance into Korean universities. Students said that as Asians look very similar to Tuvans, the Japanese culture was popular ten years ago and the Korean wave is sweeping the world now. Female students and teachers preferred Korean cosmetics because of their skin types. Also, as Korean medical technology is acknowledged as the best, I was able to meet a student who visited Korea to have surgery.

One of interesting things that I experienced in Tuva was that Tuvans don’t use umbrella even though it rains. As not bringing an umbrella from Korea, I was drenched with the rain and saw all the people walking in the rain. I was unfamiliar with this, so I asked them the reason during class. The students worried about how to answer because they’d never thought about not carrying umbrellas. One of the students replied that “to carry umbrella doesn’t seem proper to hairstyle and clothes.”

They agreed that as Tuva is a clean city, getting caught in the rain doesn’t harm to us. It was very interesting and different opinions for me as a Korean.

I certainly realized that the culture learnt from books is relative. Understanding other cultures means understanding other people. At the same time, it made me have deep views of our culture which is familiar like five senses. After working for four months last year, I visited Tuva again in 2015. The same students learn Korean language from me and I spend a meaningful time with them to learn new cultures.

Victory Day

Victory Day

Children on the street

Gifts from Students

▼ Tuva Music Concert

Victory Day

PioNEAR Memories of the Professional Internship Program of NEAR (PioNEAR)

The Association of Northeast Asia Regional Governments 11

NEAR Working-level Workshop 2015 was held on May 20-22 at Hyundai Hotel, Gyeongju in the presence of more than 100 working-level staff of 36 regional governments from five countries, including Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia, and Russia.The Working-level Workshop marked the 10th anniversary this year since 2006 as a platform to enhance understanding of NEAR and its activities in the presence of public officials in charge of NEAR affairs and to build a human network. The accumulated number of participatns has surpassed 750 people.

NEAR Working-level Workshop 2015

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The Workshop included a report on the Secretariat activities, special lecture by Professor Son Key-young of Korea University, and introduction of main events by member regions. Also, participants had time to discuss NEAR’s current affairs, introduction of NEAR membership fee, and promotion of Sub-Committee management.

Finally, participants visited the POSCO (the Pohang Iron and Steel Company), the top steelmaker worldwide, Bulguksa Temple, and Seokguram Grotto, Korean representative cultural heritage and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Special Lecture and Presentation by Member Regions

Before the special lecture, the NEAR Secretariat reported on the Secretariat’s achievements in 2014 and service plans of 2015 along with main services. In particular, the main services in 2015 included the holding of the 10th Working Committee and NEAR International Forum, conducting of the Professional Internship Program of NEAR, and the 3rd Youth Essay Contest. The NEAR Secretariat requested active cooperation of member regions.

Under the theme of “the Creating of Harmony Era and ‘Compassionate Community’ in Northeast Asia,” Professor Son Key-young of Korea University delivered a special lecture. Korea, China, and Japan have formed confrontation-oriented atmosphere due to distortion of history in the region and territorial disputes. To overcome this issue, three countries should be affectionate towards each other by creating

‘Compassionate Community’ and by relying on each other. Furthermore, Northeast Asian nations should make harmony era.

Member regions made presentations on respective promotions: Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China made a presentation themed a new opportunity for development and cooperation in Yinchuan, Ningxia, Shandong Province of China promoted Sub-Committee on Ocean and Fisheries which is scheduled for October, and Toyama Prefecture of Japan reported on Sub-Committee on Environment.

Korean member regions promoted Sub-Committees and international events which are to be held this year; Daegu Metropolitan City-Daegu Medical Clustter, Daejeon Metropolitan City-World Technopolis Association, Chungcheongbuk-do Province-2015 Goesan International Organic Expo, and Jeollanam-do Province- International Agricultural Exhibition 2015 and

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WORLD BAMBOO FAIR DAMYANG KOREA 2015. Gyeongsangbuk-do Province introduced 2015 Mungyeong CISM World Game Korea 2015 and Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015 along with holding of the 11th Sub-Committee on Economy and Humanities Exchange.

Mongolia introduced its member regions. Two provinces, including Umnugovi Province and Ulaanbaatar City introduced themselves along with its current affairs.

Irkutsk Region of Russia, a chair region, asked for member regions’ participation in the 10th NEAR Working Committee and Republic of Sakha promoted a new Sub-Committee on Sports.

Presentation and Discussion on Introduction of NEAR Membership Fee System and Promotion of Sub-Committees

Regarding introduction of membership fee system, it didn’t reach agreement yet even though member regions have suggested membership fee system since 2007.

There was a discussion session to accept member regions’ opinion at the Working-level Workshop 2015 before submitting the agenda to the next Working Committee in Jeollanam-do Province.

<Introduction of Membership Fee System > The need to introduce the membership fee system was suggested to increase

member regions’ interest and participation in NEAR activities, enhance NEAR’s status as an international organization, and strengthen financial independence, further, for NEAR’s sustainable development.

A large number of member regions agreed to introduce the membership fee system. There were many opinions regarding a way to impose the membership fee and use of the fee during the discussion.

The Secretariat suggested a flat rate system with USD 2,000 annual fee and the membership fee will be used to implement programs or projects corresponding with

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NEAR’s development and common goal of member regions. According to this, focusing on the projects member regions prefer, projects will be requested by each country and decided at the Working Committee meeting.

The Working Committee in October will review and decide the membership fee system after preparing its operation rules regarding various matters such as budget planning, review, administration, and audit.

<The Way to Promote Sub-Committees>The background for discussion to enhance Sub-Committees is to reduce

coordinator regions’ financial burden, increase member regions’ participation by minimizing double hosting of the events at the same term, and establish more effective management system to make Sub-Committee meetings more practical and productive.

Therefore, as coordinator regions’ position is the most important in terms of the matters related to Sub-Committee, Working Committee meeting will conduct a research on Sub-Committee management; Sub-Committees which are well operated will be maintained and Sub-Committees which are poorly managed will be united or co-hosted if the Sub-Committee is similar to other sub-Committees and possible to cooperate with.

Industrial and Cultural Tour

Finally, participants visited the POSCO (the Pohang Iron and Steel Company), the top steelmaker worldwide, Bulguksa Temple, and Seokguram Grotto known as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

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Themed ‘Eurasia Cultural Express,’ ‘Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015’ is to be held at Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park and Gyeongju City in a 59-day run from August 21. About 40 Silk Road countries, including China, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Turkey, and friendly cities of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju City are expected to participate in the festival. A variety of exhibitions, performances, and experiences about various cultures will be presented in a 59-day run with the start of opening ceremony on August 21.

‘Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015' to be held in a 59-day run from August 21

Experience Center of Seokguram Grotto HMD TravelOsman Military Band

Schemic Diagram of Bazaar

Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015Feature Report

Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural

Festival 2015

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Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015

25 unique cultural programs to spread the excellence of Silla, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and Korean culture along with various exhibitions, performances, videos, and experiences will be provided for 59 event days (August 21~October 18).

‘The Meeting of Civilizations’ - A place for the meeting and exchange toexperience various history and cultures

Mainly including each Silk Road country’s traditional tea street, ‘Silk Road Grand Bazaar’ where visitors can enjoy foods, handcrafts, and traditional perfomances is a representative program of ‘Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival 2015.’ Each nation’s merchant in traditional outfits makes booths and operates the market in person. ‘Silk Road Odyssey’ exhibition is a travel experiencing a fantasy including Silk Road’s

history and culture and will attract visitors’ attention by creating fantasy world such as Silk Road mythical and imagined animals and Arabian Night. Dance Drama ‘Silla’ held at the Cultural Center of Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park is a dance drama which is created based on ‘Kush Nama’, a Persian epic poem and sheds new light on cultural experience between Silla and other nations. ‘Silk Road Realism’ exhibition will provide visitors with Central Asian art. So,

masterpieces which express the feature and uniqueness of the Central Asia will be on display.

‘Silla, the Golden Kingdom’ - Silla Art and Culture based on brilliant golden culture

‘Special Exhibition of Silla’s Golden Relics’ which shows a trend of Silla art per period based on gold is the homecoming exhibition of ‘Silla: Korea’s Golden Kingdom’ held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013. Also, ‘Sukgulam HMD (Head Mounted Display) Travel Experience Center’ which allows visitors to experience the world best Sukgulam Grotto through cutting-edge ICT technology and ‘Drone Show’ is waiting for the visitors.

Harmonic Arena- where each nation’s cultures are in harmony

‘Silk Road Parade’ will be a special exhibition to watch a variety of Silk Road nations’ traditional performances led by the Turkey Mehter military band. ‘Korea in Motion Festival’ to enjoy Korean art through various performances such as non

verbal·play·musical and ‘East and West Music Festival’ to use string instruments of Cremona of Italy and a three-stringed and three wind instruments of Gyeongju will take place. Each nation’s cultures will be in harmony.

English Poster (gold)

Schemic Diagram of Bazaar

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The Tea Culture of Matsue

Wearing Japanese traditional clothing called kimono, we experienced a day of traditional Japanese culture in Matsue. This was the second time I wore a kimono. The first time that I wore a kimono, I was living in Japan with a host family and had the opportunity to try on the kimono of an aristocrat that was on display at a kimono museum. Wearing a regular kimono this time was a first for me. If the hanbok, a Korean traditional dress, expresses beauty through the combination of its curved and straight lines, I think you could also say the kimono’s straight lines express a different kind of beauty.

During my experience of wearing kimono for a second time, the most difficult part was when we had to sit seiza-style while experiencing the Japanese tea ceremony. This is because in Korea sitting in that style was a form of being scolded. Other than that does not experience it often, thus not providing an opportunity to get used to it. This time I would like to share my personal experience of Matsue’s tea culture through the Japanese tea ceremony, also known as sado.

I was able to experience the Japanese tea ceremony at a store called Senchasou, a shop with a long standing and history within Matsue. In sado, there is maccha tea and sencha tea, but generally maccha is the representative tea. We were taught the etiquette of sado such as the steps to make maccha, the proper way to drink tea, and manners for hospitality. Japan’s three biggest schools of sado are the Hyo-Senke, Ura-Senke, and the Mushakoji-Senke. We learned the Ura-Senke school of sado etiquette.

First, we ate Japanese confectionaries while warming the tea bowl with hot water. Maccha has a bit of a bitter taste, so you are supposed to eat the Japanese confectionaries beforehand to balance the bitterness, but I think the tastes combine well. I made the tea to the best of my ability and gave it to my customer. I felt that the practice of having the recipient express their gratitude and respect to the Temae (person who made the tea) made it quite apparent how Japanese culture places great importance on ceremony and courtesy.

Shimane Prefecture The Tea Culture of Matsue Park Hye-jung (Korean International Exchange Staff of Shimane Prefecture)

The Way to Enjoy ‘Matsue City’ of Shimane Prefecture- The Beauty of Harmony and Relaxed MindKorean, Chinese, Russian, and American international exchange staff are working at the Shimane Prefectural office in Japan. NEAR News introduces a book edited by international exchange staff. The title of the book is ‘About Shimane Prefecture.’ The book covers tourist attractions of Shimane Prefecture. This month deals with Kyoto and Matsue City of Shimane Prefecture which is famous for tea such as Kanazawa. The staff experienced dado and Japanese confectionaries making wearing Japanese traditional clothing called kimono.

Shimane Prefecture, Japan

Shimane Prefecture, JapanNEAR Member Tour

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Historically, only people of a high social status were able to enjoy maccha, and it is said the time from when the common people were also able to enjoy it was not too long ago. In current times there are not many chances to come in contact with maccha in other regions, but in Matsue, it seems that everyone throughout the city enjoys drinking it. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Harusato Matsudaira, the 7th of the generations of the feudal lords of the Izumo-Matsue domain, existed within this period of time with the spread of Matsue’s tea culture. Also known as Fumaiko, Harusato Matsudaira regularly enjoyed maccha, and afterwards created his own school of sado called the Fumai-school. The teahouse called Meimei-an, which is located near Matsue castle, was used by Fumaiko and continues to use the Fumai style.

Matsue, the city where the Fumai-school of Japanese tea ceremony was born, holds an annual event called the “Matsue Castle Grand Tea Ceremony.” It is one of Japan’s 3 Grand Tea Ceremonies along with Kyoto’s “Nijou Castle Citizens’ Grand Tea Ceremony” and Kanazawa’s “Kenrokuen Grand Tea Ceremony,” and this a large cultural event is held in autumn. Last year, the event was held on October 4th and 5th and I bought the ticket for the event, hoping to experience the various schools’ styles of tea ceremony. However I went without checking what time the event would end, limiting the stalls I could visit to two.

When I went inside one of Matsue’s supermarkets, I was surprised at the size of the Tea section. A variety of teas and even tea tools for sado were displayed for sale. Even though in other regions you would find these kinds of things like tea whisks only in specialized tea stores or department stores, the fact that you could easily buy one at a supermarket in Matsue makes it easy to understand just how deep rooted the tea culture is in Matsue.

This is the tea culture that started from the Fumai-school up until now, spanning about 200 years of history. If you decide to visit Matsue, I believe you’ll find that sado is not that difficult, and that you can enjoy a relaxing experience.

It is said that common people enjoy maccha. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Harusato Matsudaira, the 7th of the generations of the feudal lords of the Izume-Matsue domain, existed within this period of time with the spread of Matsue's tea culture.

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The Association of Northeast Asia Regional Governments

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