Seeking the Future of Gangwon's Former Mining Areas at Bochum Mining Research Center in Germany
A Commemorative Photo of Pre-Dispatch Training Presented to the PaDok Miner Memorial Hall in Essen
The Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province European delegation, led by Governor Kim Jin-tae, visited Bochum and Essen, two of Germany's representative mining regions, on the 28th (local time on the 27th) to explore strategies for fostering future alternative industries in former mining areas and to observe firsthand the activities of Korean miners dispatched to Germany.
Governor Jin-Tae Kim of Gangwon Province and the Gangwon Province European delegation visited Bochum, a representative former mining area in Germany, on the 28th (local time on the 27th) to explore ways to develop future alternative industries for former mining areas. On the same day, the Gangwon Province European delegation visited the PaDok Miner Memorial Hall located in Essen, held a meeting with about 30 members of the PaDok Miner Association, and took a commemorative photo. Photo by Gangwon Provincial Government
The Gangwon delegation visited the Bochum Mining Research Center, a multidisciplinary research institution specializing in former mines, and held an exchange meeting on the theme of developing alternative industries for mining regions. The Bochum Mining Research Center is a world-renowned institution that not only focuses on the sustainable management and preservation of former mines but also conducts research on alternative energy development tailored to former mining sites, such as geothermal energy.
During the exchange meeting, the Gangwon delegation listened to the case of Bochum's transition to the renewable energy industry after mine closures, introduced Gangwon Province's plans for alternative industries in its own former mining areas, and discussed cooperation measures between the two regions.
At the meeting, the Bochum Mining Research Center and the Gangwon Research Institute's Center for Coalfield Area Development Support, which is Gangwon Province's specialized research institution for mining policies, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Through this agreement, the two institutions are expected to conduct joint research to establish more scientific and systematic development strategies for former mining areas, as well as share their extensive cooperation networks.
After this event, the Gangwon delegation visited the PaDok Miner Memorial Hall in Essen, Germany, and held a meeting with about 30 members of the PaDok Miner Association (Korean-German Glueckauf Association, President Shim Donggan). "Glueckauf" is a German greeting meaning "come up safely," which was commonly used among Korean miners dispatched to Germany.
Many of the Korean miners dispatched to Germany came from mining regions in Gangwon, and all 7,936 dispatched miners received practical training in Samcheok and Taebaek before departing for Germany. This has created a special bond between Gangwon Province and the PaDok miners. To commemorate this connection, a framed photograph of the miners taken after their training in Taebaek was presented to the memorial hall, and this frame will be displayed at the PaDok Miner Memorial Hall in the future.
Governor Kim Jin-tae shared the news of the closure of Samcheok Dogye Mining Complex, the last public coal mine in Korea, which is scheduled to close this month. He stated, "Gangwon Province is making great efforts to ensure that former mining areas can be revitalized through alternative industries." He added, "The construction of an expressway for former mining areas has been confirmed, and we are also preparing to register Gangwon's coal mines as UNESCO heritage sites."
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