Hope Bridge Holds 'Hope Connection Festival' in Goseong County
Reflecting on Six Years of Achievements and Sharing the Community's Journey to Recovery
At the '2025 Hope Connection Festival' event hosted by Hope Bridge, from the left, Kim Mikang, Head of the Disaster Relief Management Team at Hope Bridge, Kang Daegwon, Advisory Committee Member of Hope Bridge, Yong Gwangyeol, Chairman of Goseong County Council, Shin Hoon, Secretary General of Hope Bridge, Ham Myungjun, Governor of Goseong County, Kim Seokjung, Chief of Toseong-myeon, and Park Deukyong, Chief of Yongchon 2-ri, are posing for a commemorative photo. Hope Bridge
Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association (Chairman Song Pilho) announced on the 11th that it held the 'Hope Connection Festival' at the Yongchon 1-ri Village Hall in Toseong-myeon, Goseong County, Gangwon Province, an area affected by wildfires in 2019, to support the recovery of the local community.
Over the past six years, Hope Bridge has carried out various relief activities for the wildfire-affected areas of Goseong County, including: providing approximately 600,000 emergency relief items such as food and daily necessities; conducting laundry relief activities using specialized relief vehicles; providing 33.2 billion KRW in public donations; distributing 1,700 wildfire and fire response kits and 7,200 health promotion kits; establishing seven disaster safety village halls and supplying home appliances; and offering ongoing community support for psychological recovery and the return to daily life.
This event was organized to reflect on the results of Hope Bridge's six years of continuous support since the 2019 wildfires and to share the journey of recovery experienced by the affected village residents. Above all, it aimed to express gratitude and encouragement to the residents who steadfastly endured difficult times, and to provide a moment to set aside past hardships and share comfort and joy together.
The event was attended by Ham Myungjun, Governor of Goseong County, Yong Gwangyeol, Chairman of the County Council, and about 70 residents from eight villages in Toseong-myeon, including Inheung 1-3-ri, Seongcheon-ri, and Yongchon 1-2-ri. Heads of local organizations, such as the president of the Toseong-myeon Village Leaders' Association and the president of the Residents' Association, also participated.
The program included a report on Hope Bridge's achievements over the past six years in areas such as recovery, psychological support, and daily life assistance, followed by a ceremony for the distribution of "Mind Shower" care packages, the presentation of appreciation plaques, congratulatory performances by the village youth association, and recreational activities.
Ham Myungjun, Governor of Goseong County, stated, "The large-scale wildfire in 2019 left a deep scar on our community, but thanks to Hope Bridge's consistent support over a long period, our village was able to rise again. Above all, I want to share the significance of the time our residents have endured together."
Park Deukyong, Chief of Yongchon 2-ri, shared, "After suffering damage from the wildfire, I was anxious and uncertain about how we would continue living. Thanks to Hope Bridge, our village has become safer and smiles have returned to the faces of our residents."
Shin Hoon, Secretary General of Hope Bridge, said, "Hope Bridge did not stop at emergency response immediately after the wildfire, but has continued to support recovery alongside residents for the past six years. We will continue to provide ongoing attention and support, not only at disaster sites but also in the long term."
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