[Seoul] From May 12 to 16, Golden Year 7 (2010), our Association members displayed Master’s publications at the 2010 Seoul International Book Fair which took place in the COEX exhibition hall in downtown Seoul. The event, with the theme “The Book Reads the Future,” was hosted by the Korean Publishers Association and attracted 595 publishers from over 20 countries. Our group rented two booths and exhibited the Korean versions of The Dogs in My Life, and The Birds in My Life, the English version of The Noble Wilds, as well as Master’s other spiritual books and News Magazines. In addition, DVDs and video clips on animals were played. Two hands-on programs were designed to encourage the guests to be more involved, to help them better understand that animals are our friends, and that we should coexist in harmony with them.

A Veggie Promotion and Animal Protection Campaign co-hosted by a few NGOs took place in Myungdong, the heart of downtown Seoul, on July 29 to introduce cooling plant-based summer energy food to replace the traditional meat protein through food sampling, performances, distribution of flyers and a signature collection campaign. Free vegan food was provided by one of our Loving Hut restaurants. The event was covered by SBS and Yonhap News Agency as well as other media.

Loving Hut Actively Serves the Public

[Seoul/Incheon] Two vans were converted into bright yellow Loving Hut vehicles by our Seoul and Incheon Center Association members. To introduce and to promote the plant-based diet, they drive around the city selling vegan burgers and vegan sandwiches in public areas. Free sampling is also available at times, to entice the passersby to try this new healthy cuisine. People who have tasted their food have commented that the flavor is terrific, much better than expected!

[Busan] In July, the 5th Loving Hut was opened in Busan, which is the 40th one in South Korea. Located in Geumgok-dong district, the restaurant serves a large variety of delectable vegan dishes to its customers. To ward off the summer heat and to help people stay healthy, nutritious meals including vegan chueotang were offered free of charge to 100 guests on July 29, Jungbok Day, one of the hottest days of the year according to the lunar calendar. Guests were happy to learn that vegan food was perfect for rejuvenating the body and increasing stamina.

Loving Hut restaurants in all the other cities in Korea have also been actively participating in local events to support the “Be Veg, Go Green 2 Save the Planet” movement.

On June 11, Golden Year 7 (2010), Busan Loving Hut had the honor of serving an organic vegan lunch at a conference co-hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Korean Environment Ministry. Attended by government officials from 97 countries and representatives from 50 organizations, the five-day event was organized to establish a new panel called The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). This new team will help enhance the collaboration between the development of government policy and scientific research in order to halt the unprecedented decline of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Prior to the conference, a UNEP-supported report urged a necessary shift away from animal products in order to minimize its dramatic climate impacts. Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of UNEP, mentioned during the Q&A session, “Production of livestock, in particular meat products, is an enormously intense one in terms of consumption of resources. Therefore, the panel is saying that, yes, let us change our lifestyles. Reducing meat consumption is part of the solution in a world with soon 9 billion people.”

The catering was a success, and at the lunch, the participants had the opportunity to discuss with each other the health and environmental benefits of the vegan diet as well as to read the related guidebook that was given along with the meal.

[Daegu] Since February of this year, the Daegu Loving Hut (Shin-Mae branch) has been providing free meals to some students who can’t afford to buy lunch. After consulting with the schools and the community office, the restaurant staff selected 15 students from 9 schools in their neighborhood and gave each of them 25 food vouchers, which enables them to enjoy healthy meals free of charge.

The service has been warmly received by the parents. The mother of one of the recipients called the Loving Hut to tell them, “My son was always hungry, but now he is full because of your food vouchers.” The chief of the Gosan1-dong Community Office also visited the restaurant in pers on to express his appreciation.

Commemorating the Release of the Korean Version of ‘The Noble Wilds’

[Busan] From July 25 to August 1, to celebrate the publishing of the Korean version of The Noble Wilds, the #1 Amazon best seller written by Supreme Master Ching Hai, our Association members organized a seminar, a photos exhibition and a concert in Busan.

The seminar was held at Sarang Bang Hall. After watching a video related to the book, VIPs including distinguished professors, the famous movie director, Mr. Kim Hee-Jin , and a poet gave insightful comments and read congratulatory letters. The event concluded with several performances and a hearty vegan buffet. The audience learned to appreciate the beauty and the spiritual meaning of this publication. A monk said that he felt the powerful heart charka energy while he was reading the book. Inspired by its contents, director Kim firmly decided to adopt the vegan lifestyle.

A gentle and loving atmosphere filled Young Gwang gallery where The Noble Wilds photo exhibition was held. Visitors were deeply moved by the spiritual message of this treasured book. The day before the conclusion of this event, an “Eco Music Concert” entertained guests with songs by the well-known vegan singer Park Chang-Geun, in addition to dances and instrumental performances. It was heartwarming to hear that many attendees were encouraged to become vegan.

[Gwangju] In order to promote vegan school lunches and to address the urgent issue of climate change, Hope Group Meal Alliance for a Green World organized an international seminar on May 15 at the Chonnam National University Convention Hall in Gwangju City entitled “A Complete Meal Heals Children’s Health & the Earth.” Outside the venue, our Association members in Gwangjiu, together with Green Action of Chonnam National University, offered free vegan food. Those who attended the seminar were amazed by the variety and taste of the plant-based delicacies and were even more convinced that it really is easy to make a dietary change in schools and in their own lives.

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