Hanam South Korea

Hanam City, South Korea – Liaison Robert Coon

korea gate

Hanam City, South Korea

Little Rock’s Sister City of Hanam City, South Korea was formalized on May 19, 1992, by Little Rock Mayor Sharon Priest and the Little Rock City Board. Hanam City is the second oldest Sister City relationship in Little Rock.

The relationship between Hanam City and Little Rock started because Grand Master H.U. Lee of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) was interested in forming a relationship between the two cities. H.U. Lee founded the ATA and located its headquarters in Little Rock.

City Profile

Hanam City became a city on January 1, 1989, and has a history going back to 6 B.C. Hanam City is geographically located in the middle east of the Seoul metropolitan area with a population of about 150,000 people. The city is located near Seoul’s vast transportation network connecting to all directions of the Korean nation. It is a clean city with a beautiful natural environment and cultural heritage.

The government of Hanam City is an open administration together with the citizens. It is based on a clear and customer oriented system in building a clean future for the city guaranteeing a high quality of life. Hanam City promotes itself as, “A Green City within Nature, Fresh Nature within a City.” The city has a cultural heritage full of ancestral spirits. Hanam City being the center of history from the ancient times, it is a city where nature and tradition harmonize, and also is a place where the breath of their ancestors can be felt.

Former Liaison Bob Callans, Hanam City Mayor Lee Kyo-Bum, and Liaison Robert Coon in Hanam City

Former Liaison Bob Callans, Hanam City Mayor Lee Kyo-Bum, and Liaison Robert Coon in Hanam City

Hanam City provides its citizens with cultural festivals, public sports, social welfare, the arts, education for the 21st century, healthcare, balanced urban development with agriculture and development of housing for the future. The relationship with Little Rock shows its efforts with international exchanges.

Areas that Hanam City and Little Rock are working:

  • Employing Little Rock instructors to teach English for one year in Hanam City.
  • A city-staff-exchange program.
  • The Korean War Veterans Memorial in MacArthur Park, which was dedicated June 25, 2007.
  • A student-exchange program.
  • Researching opportunities for economic development.

Hanam City students visiting Little Rock Central High School

Hanam City students visiting Little Rock Central High School

Hanam City students visiting the Old State House Museum

Hanam City students visiting the Old State House Museum

 
 

What's New with LRSCC?

December 6-9, 2011 a group of six officials including the Vice-Mayor of Changchun visited Little Rock.

See full detail for both groups in the December newsletter article.

Watch this space for more detail on upcoming exchanges both inbound and outbound.


October 2011 - During the week of October 17th-20th, 2011 - we hosted a group of officials and citizens from our Sister City Changchun, People’s Republic of China. A reception was be held on Tuesday, October 18th, 2011.


In addition to our normal activities during 2011, we have three key initiatives being finalized and introduced:

Economic Development - A vital activity for both the City of Little Rock and its Sister Cities. Using our long established relationships to create economic activity is a natural fit.

Effective Communications – Keeping the Citizens of Little Rock informed of the commission’s activities is the key for all to understand how the commission is contributing to the advancement of the City of Little Rock and its Citizens. We will use the new e-mail newsletter and the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission Facebook page to keep all informed.

Youth Leadership Program – This Spring we will host an event to educate more citizens about the program and gather support for the next class.