HomeMy WebLinkAbout05282019 City Council Laydown - Ecklund Korea Report May 28, 2019 C .
Honorable Mayor Squires and Councilmembers �,� ;.��! �'r�
PO Box 167 �
Seward, AK 99664
Re: 2019 Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, South Korea Trip
Hello,
What an honor to represent the City of Seward at the Turtle Ship Festival in Yeosu. The first
evening we participated in their festival parade. While holding the City of Seward flag we
waved, smiled, greeted and thanked the thousands of South Korean citizens that attend their
celebration Then at the opening ceremonies we were introduced with the delegates from four
other communities that hold Sister City status with Yeosu.
Our little city, 2,693 residents (2010 Census), was invited and honored alongside an amazing
group of cities. So that you have an idea of what a distinction it was to be invited I'd like to share
the comparisons. From the People's Republic of China the three Sister Cities attending were:
Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 9,806,000 (2018 census), Weihai, Shandong Province 2,804,771
(2010 census) and Lishui, Zhejiang Province 2,506,600 (2010 census). The Sister City from
Russia was Vanino, Khabarovsk Kari 17,001 (2010 census). At the Mayor's Dinner on Saturday
evening, I sat between the delegation from the cities of Lishui and Weihai. I asked them about
their populations and boy did they seem amused when I showed them our Wikipedia page with
Seward's population. We had a good laugh and it clearly broke the ice.
Several of the cities were shocked at the numerous gifts we presented to Mayor Weon: the City
of Seward flag, an engraved gold pan and an etched print. I think our town of Seward made
quite an impression.
I am sorry I could not attend the Council Meeting this evening. I am serving you as your
representative to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission this evening. Thank you
for allowing me to represent our community in Yeosu.
0 Sincerely,
Cindy L. Ecklund
Seward Planning Commission, Chair
0