Former Constitutional Court Justice Moon Hyung-bae visited Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, to support young people in need of social assistance. He encouraged the youth by sharing his own experience of continuing his education through scholarship support despite difficult circumstances.
Lina Jeonseonggi Foundation, a social contribution foundation funded by Lina Life Insurance, announced on the 11th that it held the entrance ceremony for "Barangjae Dream Kitchen," a Korean cuisine culinary training program for young people, at Barangjae Hanok Stay in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, the previous day. The event was attended by dignitaries from various fields, including former Justice Moon, Pyeongchang County Governor Shim Jae-kuk, and master Korean cuisine chef Cho Hee-suk, who offered encouragement to program participants.
In his remarks, former Justice Moon said, "In my childhood, I studied under difficult circumstances without books or school uniforms. It was hard at the time, but it enabled me to overcome any hardship."
He added, "You may feel things are difficult and challenging now, but I encourage you to overcome and succeed."
"Barangjae Dream Kitchen" is a program designed to provide Korean culinary training and hands-on work experience to young people in blind spots of social support, including youth aging out of foster care, youth on extended protection, youth from near-poverty households, and youth from immigrant backgrounds.
Participating youth will receive Korean culinary training under professional chefs and gain real kitchen experience through Korean dining operations at Barangjae in Pyeongchang. The foundation plans to help young people build vocational capabilities and establish a foundation for independent living through this program.
At the event, master Korean cuisine chef Cho Hee-suk, known as "the chef's chef," delivered congratulatory remarks encouraging the young people's endeavors.
Chef Cho said, "It takes effort to turn a choice into a good choice. I hope the experience here becomes a starting point for these young people to find their own path."
Top Korean chefs including Chef Son Jong-won, Chef Ahn Sung-jae, and Chef Kang Min-gu also sent video messages of support, delivering warm encouragement to program participants.
Hong Bong-sung, Chairman of Lina Jeonseonggi Foundation, said, "We will continue to support young people in paving their own way through education and work experience."
Barangjae, a hanok hotel located in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, is a space operated by Lina Jeonseonggi Foundation. It offers experiences of rest and recovery and runs various programs to realize the values of "emptying and sharing."