2011
August 8

Focus: Culture
Muju Taekwondo, visiting from the Republic of Korea, opened the Sixth Annual Chicago Sister Cities International Festival. The group was accompanied by famed Dr. Sammy Lee, a Korean-American, who became the first U.S. male diver to win back-to-back gold medals at the 1948 London Olympics and the 1952 Helsinki Games. This was the second straight year a visiting group from Korea served as the festival's opening act.

October 14

Focus: Government
President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of South Korea made his first visit to Chicago.

 

2010
January

Focus: Education
In early January, 22 teachers from Busan visited Chicago as the second group participating in the 22-week Professional Bridge Development Program of the expanded Visiting Teachers MOU between Chicago and Busan.

January  27-28

Focus: Education
Dr. Seol, the Busan Mayor of Education, along with a delegation of four, visited Chicago to visit CPS schools and meet with teachers and principals. During this visit, the delegation visited with Sunghwan Son, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, Thorp Elementary School, Ogden International High School and Chicago Public Schools officials. They also met with CPS CEO Ron Huberman, Chicago Sister Cities International, assistant principals from Lane Tech and Schurz high schools, and the Mayor’s Office.

April 25-27

Focus: Government
The Honorable Baek, Seong-taek ,Ambassador and Vice Mayor for International Affairs, participates in the Richard J. Daley Global Cities Forum.

August 22

Focus: Culture
The Busan Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International presented Busan Fantasy at Northeastern Illinois University. The Busan Metropolitan Dance Company is Busan, Korea’s premiere dance ensemble and has performed throughout Korea and abroad for over 30 years. This performance allowed Chicagoans the opportunity to experience and learn more about the culture, traditions and history of Busan through traditional and contemporary-themed dance by this internationally renowned company.

August 23 to 27

Focus: Culture
The Busan Metropolitan Dance Company from Busan, Korea opened this year’sthe 5th Annual Chicago Sister Cities International Festival at  Millennium Park with a traditional Korean dance performance. After watching the performance, attendees sampled Korean dishes provided by Bowl Square representing Busan, Korea.

September 21

Focus: Government
Mayor Richard M. Daley met with Busan Mayor Hur Nam-Sik to discuss business, educational and cultural opportunities between the two cities. This was the first time the Mayor traveled to Korea, and the city of Busan, which became a Chicago Sister City in 2007.

October 18

Focus: Government/Culture
Eight members of the Administration, Culture and Education Committee of the Busan City Council visited Chicago, and met with various members of the Chicago City Council, including Aldermen Bernard Stone, Margaret Laurino and Daniel Solis. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the Chicago City Council, exchange views with members of the City Council, and broaden and deepen relations between the two cities. This was a good opportunity for the members to discuss various similarities and differences between each respective City Councils.

2009
January

Mayor Daley appointed new Busan committee chair, Nam Hung Paik.

February 3

Mayor Richard M. Daley met with the Honorable Dong Guen Seoi, Head of the Metropolitan Office of Education in Busan, Korea, at City Hall to share ideas about strengthening the educational partnership between Chicago and Busan. In 2007, Chicago Public Schools and the Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and implement an educational cooperation and exchange relationship.

April

Pershing West Middle School signed a Sister School agreement with Busan Naesung Middle School.

October 1 - 4

Focus: Medical
Dr. Youn Joo from the Busan National University Hospital participated in the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium – Sister Cities Medical Initiative.

November 17

Focus: Government
Mr. Chung Suk-koo, Deputy Superintendent, Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education

2008
May

Focus: Education
Korean Language students from Northside College Prep High School will visit their counterparts in Busan over spring break.

June 2 - 6

Focus: Culture
Delomonico Restaurant represented Busan during the Chicago Sister Cities International Festival.

July

Focus: Education
Principals of Chicago's Northside College Prep and Busan's Korea Science Academy sign Sister School Agreement.

October 10

Focus: Culture
Suk Ja and Beth Lambert from Scarlet Designs represented Busan at the World Fashion Chicago runway show.

2007
May 7

Focus: Sister Cities Signing Agreement
The Official Signing of the Chicago-Busan Sister City Agreement took place at the Chicago Cultural Center on Monday, May 7, 2007. The agreement was signed by The Honorable Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago and The Honorable Hur Nam-sik, Mayor of Busan.

October 10

Focus: Culture
Hyden Yoo, from Akira Men, represented Busan in the World Fashion Chicago runway show, which features designers with roots in Chicago’s 27 Sister Cities.

December 28

Focus: Culture
Busan was represented in ABC-7’s week-long “Christmas Around the World” segment. Dduk Gook (rice-cake soup) and mandarin oranges were presented as a Christmas custom Korea.