Cranbrook welcomes South Korean delegation

Fostering relationships between the East Kootenay and South Korea

Six visitors from the South Korean city of Wonju pose with Cranbrook's mayor and councillors at a Rotary Park barbecue. The 1924 International fire engine, restored by the Cranbrook Firefighters Association, was on display. Firefighters cooked the steaks, sausages and chicken for the group and a good time was clearly had by all. — Sandra Albers photo

A delegation from the city of Wonju in South Korea capped its recent visit to the East Kootenay with a good, old-fashioned barbecue hosted by the City of Cranbrook, with city firefighters manning the grill.

Councillor Angus Davis said the visit was part of a provincial program that aims to develop relationships with South Korea.

The focus right now is on getting to know each other's culture; it is hoped that economic ties will develop between Cranbrook and Wonju, with a sister city relationship being a future possibility.

The South Korean contingent included six officials from Wonju: chairperson Byung-Doo Chae, vice mayor Yong-Hoon Park, public relations office chief Jae-Myeong Jeong, green growth division chief Jung-Ho Kim, tourism division chief Byung-Min Lee, and Eun-Suk Jeong from Wonju's public relations office, who acted as interpreter.

Two City of Cranbrook staff paid an earlier visit to Wonju last February.

During their jam-packed four-day visit to the East Kootenay, the South Korean group visited Fort Steele Heritage Town, toured coal mines in the Elk Valley, tried their hands at fly-fishing on the St. Mary River, toured Kimberley's Sullivan Mine, stopped by the College of the Rockies and visited a winery and brewery in Creston.

They even attended the Bob Dylan concert at the newly named Western Financial Place (formerly the Cranbrook RecPlex), which happened to be on during their visit.

They were also taken on a helicopter flight over Fisher Peak, and one of their favourite parting gifts, presented at the Rotary Park barbecue, seemed to be a picture of the iconic East Kootenay peak. Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Stetski also gave the group a Kootenay Ice jersey to take back to their mayor, who is reportedly a huge hockey fan.

Interpreter Jeong said she has visited big cities like Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto, but she was especially impressed by the small-town friendliness of the people in Cranbrook and area. Edmonton is one of Wonju's official sister cities.

"We had a very pleasant, rewarding and enriching experience here," she interpreted on behalf of the group, adding that they all hope Cranbrook officials will visit their city again.

According to Wikipedia, Wonju is the most populous city in Gangwon province in South Korea, with a population of more than 310,000. About 140 kilometres east of Seoul, Wonju is home to three universities. One of South Korea's top basketball teams is based there. The total population of South Korea is about 50 million, Jeong said.