According to the latest "Family Status Survey" by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, approximately 52.5% of married couples in South Korea spend less than one hour a day communicating with each other. While this shows a slight improvement from three years ago (58.5%), lack of meaningful connection remains a pressing social issue. In light of "Couples' Day" (May 21st), the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Hanam Branch organised a unique initiative designed to foster marital communication while practising environmental stewardship.

On 16th May, the Hanam Branch hosted a couple's plogging (jogging while picking up litter) and environmental purification event. The activity provided a rare opportunity for busy spouses to reconnect, converse, and actively participate in local climate and environmental protection.

The participants walked from the Misa Cultural Street through the Mangwolcheon Stream area for about an hour, achieving tangible ecological results:

Waste Reduction: Collected 50 litres of discarded litter.

Water Restoration: Threw 100 Eco-friendly Effective Microorganism (EM) mudballs into the stream to naturally purify the water.

The event proved to be an effective catalyst for marital harmony. Participants Seok-jin Lim (57) and Hyun-ju Shin (57) shared their heartwarming experience, noting that the event felt like a nostalgic date from their courtship days.

“Due to our hectic daily routines, we rarely find time to share together,” Lim reflected. “But today, laughing, talking, and cleaning the environment alongside my spouse has genuinely refreshed both my mind and my marriage.”

Hanam Branch Head Kyung-bok Ko, who also participated in the cleanup with his wife, emphasised the broader societal impact of the event: “As the core foundation of a family, when married couples communicate smoothly and collaborate, it generates a highly positive wave across the entire local community.” Moving forward, the Hanam Branch plans to establish more diverse, inclusive volunteer platforms where couples, youth, and local residents can communicate effectively to foster a collaborative community culture.