[Mr. Chung Sung Heon, President of Korea Saemaul Undong Center]

[Hon. Minister Chin Young of the Interior and Safety]

[H.E. Ambassador Andrew Yamanea, MBE of Papua New Guinea}

The 9th Saemaul Day Ceremony, celebrating the 49th anniversary of the declaration of Saemaul Undong, hosted by Korea Saemaul Undong Center (President Chung, Sung Heon) and sponsored by the Ministry of Interior and Safety (Minister Chin, Young), took place on April 22, 2019 at the Sejong Hall in Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

The ceremony preparations aimed at creating a conducive environment to the resolutions of building a global community to protect all life, sharing peace, and creating a respectful community movement, as well as forming a social consensus among the general public. The ceremony itself was attended by more than 500 honored guests including Minister of Interior and Safety Chin, Young, leader of the Bareunmirae Party Sohn, Hak Kyu, National Assembly members Kim, Bu Gyeom, and another National Assembly member Nam, In Soon from the Democratic Party of Korea, 23 foreign ambassadors in Seoul including the ambassador of Papua New Guinea, and also the former and current Saemaul leaders.

Also attending were representatives from citizen groups and related organizations such as President Kim, Jin Ho of the Korean Veterans Association, Chairman Ryu, Jong Yeol of the Young Korean Academy, Chairman Lee, Bu Young of the Korea Free Press Foundation, Secretary of Citizen Participation in the President’s Office Jung, Hyun Gon, and 18 trainees participating in Saemaul Undong Training from Papua New Guinea.

[Foreign Ambassadors and Diplomats in Korea]

During the ceremony, those who had contributed for years to develop Saemaul Undong in various fields were awarded either the Saemaul Huijang(insignia) and Ginyumjang(badges) or Ministry of Interior and Safety citations. They were credited for their sacrifice, efforts, and service for the development of the country and the movement.

{Congratulator Rice Cake Cutting Ceremony}

In his commemoration speech, Chung, Sung Heon, president of Korea Saemaul Undong Center (KSC) stated, “We ourselves shall be the leader of building a global community to protect all life movement. We have to change our way of thinking and lifestyle with the idea that we lead by example, going forward to building a global community to protect all life and put the Saemaul principles into practice ourselves and together with others. We dream of a world where consumption, management, and communities unite around nature. We will spare no effort in creating higher ideals, deeper and wider analysis, and practices based on reality and fact. We will study and practice, together with more people, and lead the path of life to greater community.”

[Awards Ceremony]

In his congratulatory speech, Mr. Chin, Young, Minister of Interior and Safety said, “We are worried about the collapse and extinction of local communities. The efforts to interpret for implementing Saemaul Undong in accordance with the flow of modern life will be very helpful in solving the problems Korea faces. In this respect, the great transformation of Saemaul Undong with “life, peace, and honor” has great significance as President Chung expressed. I hope Saemaul leaders will take the lead in developing local communities based on the Saemaul spirit.”

In a following speech, H.E. Andrew Yamanea, ambassador of Papua New Guinea said, “Papua New Guinea is an agriculture-centered country. We can contribute to improve the agricultural productivity by applying Saemaul Undong model. Saemaul Undong is the best example of a movement transforming the lives of the people. We will promote Saemaul Undong in Papua New Guinea successfully and eventually hope that it will lead to local development. We can adapt the core principles of Saemaul Undong to Papua New Guinea’s setting and situation.”