It’s been busy but enlightening for Belleville’s delegation so far in its visit to sister city Gunpo South Korea.
The delegation, led by Mayor Neil Ellis, has been touring the sprawling city of 300,000 and have toured a huge Nongshim noodle factory and a garbage incineration plant located in the heart of the city.
Ellis says the mayor of Gunpo rolled out the red carpet Friday night.
” … welcoming with other twin cities they have here, one from China, one from Japan and they had an opening ceremony for that and I had the honour to represent Belleville with that and speaking about what a great city we have.”
Monday the delegation toured a Hyundai auto plant. Ellis says Gunpo and Belleville have been twinned since 1996 and he is again making important contacts with business leaders not only there but from China and Japan.
“Something that we should continue on because it does have some merit with an industry from Korea here (Belleville) and you never know what’s going to happen.”
With colourful azaleas in the background councillors Chris Malette (left) and Kathryn Brown pose with Mayor Neil Ellis in Gunpo, South Korea. (Photo: submitted)
The group has not only spoken with municipal and business leaders, but there has also been time set aside for sightseeing.
Gunpo and the region is awash in azaleas at this time of year and upwards of 20,000 people, including the local delegation, attended an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Gunpo Royal Azalea Festival.
The group returns to Canada Thursday night.
