Abolition of Admission Fees for Cheoneunsa Cultural Heritage, Improving Local Tourism Image, and More
On the 20th, at the indoor gymnasium, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do awarded the 2024 Gurye Citizen Award to Ven. Deokmun (real name Kim Taeyoung, 58), the head monk of Hwaeomsa Temple in the 19th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, during the 43rd Gurye Citizen Day ceremony.
Ven. Deokmun has been recognized for significantly contributing to improving the local tourism image and regional development by abolishing the admission fee for the cultural heritage site Cheoneunsa Temple, a long-standing issue in the Gurye community for the past 32 years.
Additionally, Ven. Deokmun took the lead in continuous community sharing, including laying the foundation for the development of the Hwaeom area through various public-private projects, providing donations and supplies for flood victims during the record-breaking heavy rains in 2020, volunteering for flood recovery efforts, supporting medical expenses for patients with incurable diseases, and distributing rice with love and compassion for vulnerable groups and multicultural families.
Governor Kim Sunho said, “Ven. Deokmun has devoted himself to the development of the local community with exceptional affection and a spirit of service toward Gurye. We congratulate him, along with all the citizens, on being selected as the recipient of the 2024 Citizen Award.”
Meanwhile, from 1988 to 2024, Gurye-gun has awarded the Gurye Citizen Award to 20 individuals who have made significant contributions to community development and the welfare of citizens or have enhanced the honor of the region in three categories: community development, welfare and safety, and education, culture, and sports.
Gurye = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Miseok hss79@asiae.co.kr
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
