Ponder and Diary

Shincheonji Volunteer Group Namsan and Juan Branches Paired Heatwave Relief for Citizens with Nourishing Samgyetang Meals and Hand-Written Letters for Korean War Veterans "Behind the peaceful ordinary days we enjoy today lie the sacrifices of war veterans who protected our country." — Official from Shincheonji Volunteer Group Namsan Branch As late summer heatwaves swept across South Korea, two regional branches of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group— Namsan (Seoul) and Juan (Incheon) —launched synchronized civic honor campaigns. By engaging everyday citizens on the street and visiting veterans in person, volunteers bridged generations, turning midsummer heat relief into a meaningful movement of national gratitude. Namsan Branch (Seoul): Nourishing Meals and 100 Citizen Letters in Yongsan On August 26, the Namsan Branch visited the Yongsan-gu Veterans Hall to meet members of the Korean War Veterans Association Yongsan Chapter. Building on their primary campaign held at Seoul Pla...

Following Heavy Downpours and Stream Overflow, Shincheonji Volunteer Group Suncheon Branch Worked In the Rain to Clear Debris, Silt, and Entangled Weeds “By lending even a small hand, our neighbors and fellow citizens can enjoy a clean Dongcheon Stream once again.” — Um Ha-ri (30, female), Volunteer at Shincheonji Volunteer Group Suncheon Branch Dongcheon Stream, flowing gracefully through Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, serves as a vital green lung and cherished walking trail for local residents. However, recent severe downpours caused the stream to overflow, submerging pedestrian paths, benches, and riverbank trees. As the floodwaters receded, they left behind thick layers of slippery mud, heavy silt, and massive tangles of uprooted weeds caught on tree branches and railings—making the walkways completely impassable. At 7:30 AM on September 1, despite steady rain and humid morning heat, 50 dedicated members of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Suncheon Branch gathered at Dongcheon Stream equi...

Shincheonji Volunteer Group Icheon Branch Served Homemade Samgyetang and Heatwave Relief Kits to Korean War Veterans in Mid-August "Preparing a hot, nourishing meal for those who protected our country wasn't just a service—it was our duty of gratitude." — Lee Kyeong-hee, Volunteer at Shincheonji Volunteer Group Icheon Branch   In the sweltering heat of late August, staying healthy and hydrated is a major challenge, especially for aging Korean War veterans. On August 21, the office of the 6·25 Korean War Veterans Association in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, was filled with the rich, comforting aroma of freshly simmered ginseng chicken soup ( Samgyetang ). Volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Icheon Branch gathered to host a heartwarming luncheon for 10 local war veterans, blending heartfelt hospitality with essential heatwave care. Homemade Nutrition Delivered with Deep Respect Rather than ordering pre-packaged meals, volunteers personally prepared nutritious Samgyetang...

Shincheonji Volunteer Group West Incheon Branch Installed Air Purifiers, Restored 40+ Historic Photos, and Gifted AI-Enhanced Wartime Portraits to Marine Corps Veterans "They didn't just clean our space—they paid attention to what we truly needed every single day." — Nam Ju-won (75, pseudonym), a Marine Corps veteran and member of the Marine Sea Saving Movement   Near the bustling docks of Yeonan Pier in Jemuplpo-gu, Incheon, stands a quiet headquarters where national veterans gather: the Marine Sea Saving Movement . For years, these Marine veterans dedicated their lives to protecting the nation's waters. However, amid intense midsummer heatwaves, their aging office space had become humid and dusty, with years of community service photos left unsorted on worn bulletin boards. On August 21, volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group West Incheon Branch stepped inside with a mission—not just to clean, but to completely revitalize the space where these national her...

In Jeonju and Ulsan, Shincheonji Volunteer Group Paired Practical Home Repairs and Citizen-Crafted Gifts to Ensure Korean War Veterans Are Never Forgotten 💬 "My father is 100 years old, and so many household repairs were simply beyond his reach. Seeing volunteers care for him like their own family brings such peace of mind." — Son of Jeon Man-seok (100), a Korean War veteran in Jinan-gun True gratitude is not measured by grand speeches once a year on national holidays. It lives in the small, practical actions that make an aging hero’s daily life safer, cooler, and less lonely. This August, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group demonstrated what real-world patriotism looks like across two southern regions of South Korea— Jeonju and Ulsan . By combining heavy home repairs with warm personal care and citizen-written letters, volunteers created a powerful bridge of respect between everyday citizens and Korean War veterans. Jeonju Branch: Restoring Safety for a 100-Year-Old Veteran’s...

Amid Rapid Aging and 3.7 Million Annual Visitors, Shincheonji Volunteer Group Cheongpyeong Branch Partners with Local Villages to Build a Sustainable Model of Civic Care 💬 “The weeds had grown so tall that our flower garden was completely hidden. Now that the flowers are alive again, our whole village feels brighter.” — Lee Gun-seon (70, female), a resident of Yumyeongsan Village in Gapyeong Gapyeong County, famous for Cheongpyeong Lake and Mount Yumyeong, presents a striking contrast. According to local government statistics, over 3.69 million tourists flooded into Gapyeong’s picturesque sites in 2025 alone . Yet behind this bustling tourism lies a quiet crisis. Designated as a population decline zone, Gapyeong's elderly population (aged 65 and over) has passed 34% of the total population . In the hot summer months, wild weeds and kudzu vines spread rapidly along roadside flower beds and village entrances—the very first spots tourists see. With most local residents in their late ...