Delegation returns from Gunpo, Korea

Group makes connections

GUNPO, Korea - After more than 10 hours on an airplane, the Grant County delegation returned from Gunpo, Korea.

The group representing Washington state, Grant County, Moses Lake, Ephrata and a Royal City-based business returned tired and thrilled with their experience visiting Grant County's sister city Gunpo.

State Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, Grant County commissioners LeRoy Allison and Cindy Carter, Grant County Economic Development Council Manager of Communication and Research Jonathan Smith, Ephrata councilmember Bruce Reim, Moses Lake Planning Commission member David Plate, Agri-Pac business representatives Slag and Jaime Callahan, and Columbia Basin Herald Managing Editor Bill Stevenson, along with Benaya Allison and Mitja Stansfield toured the city businesses and services and enjoyed the city's anniversary celebration.

Delegates Warnick, Allison, Carter and Plate paid for their own airfare and hotel accommodations, while Reim split the cost with the City of Ephrata. The EDC paid for Smith and Stevenson was sponsored by the Columbia Basin Herald.

"The purpose of the trip is to encourage relationships between the county and the city," said Smith. "After we build relationships, trust - that (generates) business relationships."

Gunpo is a city covering nearly 9,000 acres of Korea in the northwest corner, near Seoul. It is home to 278,000 people living in 95,755 households. The city government works with an annual budget of $232.1 million. Roughly 1,095 businesses operate in the city, including nine large corporations. Their 39 schools educate approximately 51,000 students each year.

The sister city program continues after nearly a decade of visits by delegates from both areas. On even years, representatives travel from Grant County to Gunpo, on odd years Koreans come to visit.

The program allows for exchanges of culture and provides opportunities for people to develop friendships, which in turn allows for better business relationships and improved trade.

"Our primary goal is to strengthen and broaden the connections to reinforce trade," said commissioner LeRoy Allison. "It all boils down to trust … the more familiar they are with us the more confident they are to develop trade with Grant County."

For each delegate the trip held a different lesson.

"I think I have a better understanding of courtesy," said Reim. "(I have) a better idea of how to serve the people and how others serve their people … that's our ultimate responsibility."

Jaime Callahan enjoyed her time with Korean children, students, music and learning more about the country's culture.

"Everything was really great," she said. "I have memories of a beautiful city with flowers everywhere."

Her husband echoed Jaime's sentiment toward the Korean people. It was his first visit to Korea.

"Personal interactions really gave me a sense of the quality of character of the Korean people," Slag Callahan said. "I was very honored to represent Grant County on such an important trade mission."

Warnick said her first trip to Asia was an experience she won't forget.

"It was a trip of a lifetime," she said. "It was a big impact on me to see Gunpo build such a strong relationship with our community."

The delegation spent a week touring the city, its wastewater treatment plant, library, city hall and garbage incinerator, along with several businesses, a Korean palace and the demilitarized zone between the Koreas.

Columbia Basin Herald Managing Editor Bill Stevenson was one of the 11 delegates representing Grant County in Gunpo, Korea.