Jeonju Hanok Village, one of Korea's representative tourist attractions, signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with a religious organisation that is leading the way in volunteer work.

On the 23rd October, the Jeonju Hanok Village Merchants Association (Director Seok-dong Lee) announced in the conference room of Shincheonji Jeonju Church of the Thomas Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus (head lecturer Joong-il Choi) that it had promised to cooperate for the development of the commercial district with them.

The MOU signed between the Jeonju Hanok Village Merchants Association and Shincheonji Jeonju Church was made with the common goal of establishing a mutual cooperation system, revitalising the economy through the Shincheonji social contribution activities and Hanok Village merchants, and creating a better society together.

Seok-dong Lee, head of the Jeonju Hanok Village Merchants Association, said, “The occasion was made even more meaningful by signing the agreement at Shincheonji Jeonju Church. We thank you for the warm welcome and hope that you will continue to show interest.”

He continued, “We are delighted that Hanok Village has become the heart of the region and a cornerstone for the development of a tourism mecca which welcomes some 10 million tourists annually and maintains its position as the 3rd most frequented tourist destination in South Korea.”

Joong-il Choi, a senior lecturer at Jeonju Church, said, “We will do our best to develop Jeonju Hanok Village into a national tourist attraction and to develop and pass on traditional culture.” He added, “We, Shincheonji Jeonju Church, will join together with Director Seok-dong Lee and other officials of the Merchants Association to sign this agreement and are happy to do so.”

Head lecturer Choi promised, “Jeonju Church is taking the lead in volunteer work for the development of the local community according to the teachings of heaven given through the Promised Pastor, and through this agreement, we will strive to raise the status of North Jeolla Province by making Jeonju Hanok Village the greatest tourist attraction in the country.”

Cooperation between the two sides includes the Thomas Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus contributing to the development of the local economy by actively using the Hanok Village stores and shops, and the Jeonju Hanok Village Merchants Association promoting the activities of 'Shincheonji Volunteer Group', the main body of Shincheonji's social contribution drive.

An official from Shincheonji Jeonju Church said, “In the future, we will improve and maintain continuous relationships with many social and economic groups in the local community to become a religious organisation that takes the lead in making North Jeolla Province a better place to live in and a region that many people visit.”