Created and Photos by catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund

Music Choir :Arirang by St Andrew Church Choir  conducted by Soprano Soo Jin Lee

Jeolla buk do and Washington sisterhood celebrates for 20 years.

On May 25th, 2016, Governor Jay Inslee invited special guests amd community leaders for luncheon in his Governor's Mansion as welcoming Jeollabuk-do Governor Song  and  pay their attention to the Korean War Veterans to tributed to those who served for Korea and faught for the Korean War for peace.  Governor Jay Inslee even stated that his uncle was one of the  served during the Korean War.  Jeollabuk-do Governor Song Ha Jin stated that Korean War veterans have sacrificed and their passion made Korea success now and  Korea is continue to develp and success.  (Photo Description: Left Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and Right Jeollabuk-do Governor Song Ha Jin Pay tribute to the Korean War Veterans)

Pierce College in Lakewood, WA International Program has  put on an extraordinary exhibition of Korea Style to showcase Korean traditional culture on May 26-27, 2016.  During exhibition, Jeollabuk-do’s traditional paper, called ‘Han-ji’, and delicious bibimbap  dishes were introduced.  Special guests were, WA Secretary of State Kim Wyman, Deputy Consul General, Byong Kwon Kim, Pierce College Chancellor Michelle Johnson, Councilmember Marie Barth (Lakewood City) Schuyler Hoss, Director of International Releations and Protocol, Nate Caminos Outreach, Rosa McLeod Outreach Director. Hosted by Jeolla buk Do and Pierce College from the International Education Program and Co-sponsored by Korean Women's Association (KWA) and KIMWA for volunteer work. Many students and many visitors were able to test bibimbap and han kwa (Korean cookies and pastries)

Washington and Jeollabuk-do established their sister state relationship in 1996, and it is one of just three state-level sister partnerships that Washington has, joining Hyogo Prefecture in Japan and Mexico’s Jalisco State. At the city level, seven communities in Washington share ties with cities in South Korea.

During Governor Song’s visit to Washington, the two governors planted a Magnolia tree on the lawn of the state capitol and placed a ceremonial wreath at the nearby Korean War Memorial to mark the two decades of friendship. The relationship between Washington and Jeollabuk-do is particularly active, with frequent visits and exchanges. Governor Song invited Governor Inslee to the World Taekwondo Championships in 2017, which will be held in Jeollabuk-do. In the first 10 years after the sister-state relationship was formed in 1996, Jeollabuk-do sent its government employees to Washington annually to learn from their counterparts and witness different systems at work. That program stopped after the governor of Jeollabuk-do changed in 2006, but since Governor Inslee and Governor Song started their terms in 2013 and 2014, respectively, both have renewed efforts to organize programs and events to enhance the sister state bond.

Meanwhile, Washington State and Jeollabuk do have signed their future technology development. Jeollabuk do Governor Song Ha Jin speaks that Jeollabuk-do is continue to develop the Carbon Industry.

Jeollabuk-do is located in the west-southern part of Korea, bordered on the east-southern by Hadong-gun, Hamyang-gun, and Geochang-gun of Gyeongnam, and Gimcheon-si of Gyeongbuk, Bangyabong Peak of Sobaek Mountain (1,732m), Toggibong Peak (1,534m), Myeongseungbong Peak (1,586m), Baekwoonsan Mountain (1,279m), Namdeokyusan Mountain (1,508m), and Muyongsan Mountain (1,492m), on the south by Yeongwang-gun, Jangseong-gun, Damyang-gun, Gokseong-gun, and Gure-gun, on the north by Geumsan-gun, Nonsan-si, Buyeo -gun, and Seocheon-gun of Choongnam, and Yeongdong-gun of Choongbuk, and on the west by China over the Yellow Sea.

The total area of Jeollabuk-do is 8,067 square kilometres (3,115 sq mi), which accounts for 8.1% of the total area of South Korea.

Jeollabuk-do Saemangeum have many potential for global economic growing which is an environmentally friendly city, combining economy, industry, tourism, leisure, international affairs, environment and culture.

 The Saemangeum lay at the mouths of the Dongjin and Mangyeong Rivers, on the coast of Jeollabuk-do. It is just south of the estuary of the Geum River. Neighboring districts include Gunsan City, Buan County, and Gimje City.

The project of filling in the estuary began in 1991, but was slowed by a series of court actions by environmentalists. The completed seawall is some 33 kilometers long, and replaces a coastline that was once more than 100 kilometers long. After the estuary has been completely filled, an area of about 400 km2 (roughly two-thirds the size of Seoul) will have been added to the Korean peninsula, making it one of the biggest land reclamation projects in history.

The estuary was originally called "Mangeum". This name was probably formed from combining the first character of "Mangyeong" and that of "Gimje."

Saemanguem was completed on April 27, 2010, officially becoming the longest seawall ever built with the length of 33.9 km which will be the great place to have 2023 world Scout jamboree which they are expecting and want to continue to ready for it for 2023 World Scout Jamboree.

On August 2, 2010, Saemanguem was certified by Guinness World Records as the longest man-made sea barrier in the world.

In regards, The world Scout Jamboree 2023, Meetings was held with the Ministers of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Yun Byung-se) and of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (Kang Eunhee) were held for a cooperative request to host the 2023 World Scout Jamboree.

Ministery of Equality Women and Family Kang Eun Hee visited Washington State last March 17,2016 and  Mrs. Warnick introduced KWA history after Sandra's KWA Introduction.

On August 23 to 26, 2016, Ministery of Equality Women and Family Kang Eun Hee were proud for KWA Board members and  KWA also had opportunity to visit The 16th KOWIN for 2016 which were invited by Ministery of Equality Women and Family Kang Eun Hee.  Meanwhile KWA Board members had chance to visit the senior citizens social activity buildings for elders and silver town from August 18 to 22nd, 2016.  During Korea's visiting, we have learned that South Korea has been acitive on the environment friendly changes for their country and great environment for saving climate changes and global warming changes.  while we are vising to Korea, It was amazed how much  had a big differences with clean environment water, green, cleaner air and especially for the public envinronment areas park, museum, resting places, hotels, restaurants, stores, cultural environment area and so on....Transportation systems were well managed:  subway, bus, airplanes, ship, boat, and wherever they are, you won't get loast, written in Korean and English  for the signages

Saemankum in Jeollabukdo  is an another great example of the climate changes applied which is an estuarine tidal flat on the coast of the Yellow Sea in South Korea. It was dammed by the government of South Korea's Saemangeum Seawall Project, completed in April 2006, after a long fight between the government and environmental activists, and is scheduled to be converted into either agricultural or industrial land. Prior to 2006, it had played an important role as a habitat for migratory birds. The completion of this seawall is likely to be a major contributor to the decline of many species. Around 400,000 shorebirds depended on the Saemangeum estuarine as an important feeding ground on the 24,000 km migration between Asia and Alaska and Russia, including the two endangered waders Nordmann's greenshank and spoon-billed sandpiper.

Even the solar systems and wind turbines were structured many places which have shown the climate changes to support.  A wind turbine is that converts the wind's kinetic energy into electrical power which the source of renewable energy to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.  And the public roads are clean and people were looked very happy.   The KOWIN 2016 even shown us that the South Korea is under the new generation of the resources for the youngsters that they can learn and respect of their cultural values expecially for the Jaju  hanyo (sea women) to respect.  Even Young students are research and want to study about their ledgends'  free diving, often all year round quit cold water, without scuba gear which is overcoming human aspects which the ledgends are still in all year round in cold water includes age of 60 years old still in active among the 4,500 haenyo exists in Jeju.  

Here are Some Hot Icons to click that you may would like to see the photos of KWA activities at Seoul and Jeollabuk-do in South Korea while attending The 16th KOWIN in Jeju island in Korea.