[Trip]

[Trip] Photo Trip - Cherwon (Makguksu & Goseokjeong)

A few months ago, on an autumn day in Korea, I went to Cheorwon on a two-day trip, after harvest, to visit my friend who is a farmer :)

As it was a warm day with a cool breeze and beautiful sunshine, I thought I'd share part of my trip with you.

The red rectangle shows the location of Cheorwon

Cheorwon Makguksu - Buckwheat cold noodle restaurant from the 1940s

Makguksu (Buckwheat cold noodle) is $8

Cheorwon is located in the middle of the northern-most point of South Korea, between Gyeonggi and Ganwon province, and has a notoriously cold and windy winter, but is popular for the habitat of migratory birds and the Hantangang River which holds precious geological and archeological value.

The first place that I visited was Cheorwon Makguksu, which is a famous buckwheat cold noodle restaurant in operation since the 1940s. It now run by the son and grandson of the founder of the restaurant with a traditional recipe from old times :)

Every makguksu restaurant serves noodle water before the noodle is served

Cheorwon-style spicy makguksu is served with its trademark sauce and plenty of cold meat stock

Goseokjeong was the second place I visited in Cheorwon. This is well-known as the hiding place of Im Kkeokjeong (?~1562) who was a righteous outlaw. Its beautiful and overwhelming grandiosity easily convinced me that it was a hiding place of the righteous outlaw Im Kkeokjeong :)

Bon Voyage!

[HWPL]

[HWPL] The 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit: Following the Proclamation of the DPCW, every Country Bore Fruit in Succession, Affirming their Commitment to World Peace

HWPL members presented the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as a card section during the 3rd annual commemoration of the WARP Summit in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province on September 18th 2017. HWPL has been advocating the necessity of international law to end war, and has thereby enacted the DPCW.

“We must create a world of peace without war and leave it as a legacy to future generations. This man's history of peace will end in North Korea.”

Man-Hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) expressed his strong will for the establishment of a world of peace and reunification of the Korean peninsula at the ‘3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit’ ceremony on September 18th 2017. Amid the growing threat of North Korea's nuclear weapons and its sixth nuclear test, the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit was held in Seoul and Suwon from September 17-19th 2017, presenting the solution for peace in the form of 'The Declaration of Peace and the Cessation of War (DPCW)' with its 10 articles and 38 clauses. There was active discussion on this international law.

On September 17th 2017, HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee gave a speech during the 'Peace Education Development Forum for Spreading a Culture of Peace' at the Grand Inter-Continental Hotel in Samseong-dong, Seoul.

The DPCW, proclaimed on March 14th 2016 by Chairman Man-hee Lee and the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, was evaluated as being the 'answer for peace' .

At the ‘5th International Law Peace Committee Meeting’ held at the Grand Inter-Continental Seoul Parnas on September 17th 2017, presentations were delivered on the activities and achievements supporting the progress of the DPCW within each country.

The former Prime Minister of Armenia, Hrant Bagratyan, who signed the agreement for the enactment of international law at the 2014 WARP Summit, informed government officials and ministers of each state about the importance of the DPCW, saying that he was faithfully keeping his promise. He also emphasized that he had reached the conclusion of an agreement to introduce the DPCW to parliament and NGO member states.

Paula Lorena Rodriguez, representative of Guatemala of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), also reported that the DPCW resolution had been passed on June 26, 2017 with the approval of 120 members at the Central American Parliament. The contents of the DPCW were approved by all six countries that form the Central American Parliament.

The resolution stated, "As a result of reviewing the DPCW, the Central American Congress supports and respects the DPCW.” It stipulated that a congratulatory message be delivered to HWPL. In addition, the DPCW resolution was sent to the Secretary-General of the Central American Integration System (SICA), its national parliaments, the Organization of American States (OAS), the United Nations (UN), the Central America Court of Justice, the European Parliament and the Latin-American Parliament. In addition, the SICA website issued a notice to publish the official gazette.

At the conference, the former minister of education and higher Education in Palestine, Sabri Saidam said, “History does not value those who kill, but those who give lives. Let's continue this activity based on the sincere will of global citizens who believe in the power of life.”

On September 17th 2017, at the Grand Inter-Continental Hotel in Samseong-dong, Seoul, the conference 'Establishing Collaborative Governance for Sustainable Development and Implementation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)' was held during the ‘3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit'.

Earlier, on the 16th, officials from countries that had proposed the DPCW at a national level and the HWPL International Law Peace Committee held a meeting to discuss its future direction.

Why did the world pay attention to the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW? The answer was given by Gustav Muller (Finland), a member of the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, during a presentation at a meeting on the 17th. He explained the value of the DPCW, saying, “The DPCW was written with the goal of promoting fundamental human rights and international law within the context of tolerance and respect”.

The ten articles of the DPCW are broadly divided into: ▲ Conflict Prevention (Articles 1 to 5) ▲ Conflict Mediation (Articles 6 to 7) ▲ Securing sustainable peace (Articles 8 to 10). It contains all the contents for achieving lasting peace. At the press conference held at the same place on the same day, the eyes of the world were fixed on Man-hee Lee and HWPL. 114 media agencies from 44 countries attended, reporting extensively on events.

Though each session was held in smaller groups, the 5th International Law Peace Committee Meeting became a gathering for all attendees to discuss the value of the DPCW. Participants from numerous fields including politics, law, civic society, youth, women, and religion came together as one to urge for the enactment of international law in the form of the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW. At that meeting, Chairman Lee demonstrated his leadership, saying, “We have an answer (to peace called DPCW), so we only need to put it into practice". Next, Chairman Lee held discussion with International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) and International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), foreign media, religious leaders and further representatives on practical steps for peace.

At the ‘2017 IWPG Network Forum’ of the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, held on September 19th 2017, participants sang ‘Heal The World’ (Michael Jackson) with a common desire for peace.

On the 19th, a regional meeting was held for concrete steps to be taken for the implementation of the DPCW throughout the global community for lasting peace, rather than it being left as a draft bill. All participants affirmed their commitment as agents of peace.

At the 'Conference for Global Peace Media Network: Freedom of Press and International Peace Media Community Initiative' held that day, Revd Tshuma Masimango Katembo, President of Oneness Development Association from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) appeared to urge for the enactment of the DPCW, saying, "Violence in Congo has become a part of life - like hunger, sickness and unemployment".

Revd Katembo said that he was operating the HWPL WARP office in Congo for the sake of peace. He had secured 18,500 signatures in a campaign that urges for the enactment of the DPCW.

Representatives of global youth groups enter the Peace Parade with earth-shaped balloons during the ‘3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit’ held at Hwaseong Sports Complex Stadium on September 18th 2017.

The 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, which hosted the main event, was held on the 18th at Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. About 50,000 people, including 1,100 leaders of the political, legal, religious, civic, youth and women sectors of society from 121 countries, attended the event. In addition, the event was held simultaneously in 63 domestic and 45 overseas cities worldwide, through a live broadcast, where more than 200,000 people gathered to shout for peace.

In particular, major cities throughout Korea attracted attention by providing a service that allows users to watch the event through various means including electronic billboards, large screens and smartphones. The parade depicted each and every clause of the DPCW in the form of a performance that moved hearts.

On September 18th 2017, HWPL members depicted the contents of the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) during a peace parade at the ‘9.18 WARP Summit Ceremony’ held in Hwaseong Gyeonggi Province.

Peace!

 [Food]

[Food] Dweji Doenjangjjigae - Korean Home Cooked Recipe (Korean Bean Paste Stew with Pork, 돼지된장찌개)

It's been really cold and windy in Korea these days, so I thought of having a hot, stodgy and nostalgic dish for dinner with my wife :) I decided to cook a variation of Korean traditional doenjangjjigae, which is dweji doenjangjjigae (Korean bean paste stew with pork) :) So, let's begin!

Ingredients: Pork (neck or leg or belly), tofu, zucchini, onion, minced garlic, perilla (or sesame) oil, salt, black pepper, doenjang (Korean bean paste, you can buy it at any Korean grocers), water, Chinese cabbage 

1. Grab a big pot (I use a large stainless pot), pour some perilla (or sesame) oil and turn the heat on. When the pot is hot enough, put chopped pork (neck or leg or belly fillet) and a little salt to stir fry till it's half-cooked.

2. Pour some rice wine (soju or cheongju) and keep stir frying to remove the smell of pork.

3. Put chopped Chinese cabbage and onion into the pot, and stir fry till vegetables are cooked. Season it with a little salt.

4. Pour water into the pot until the ingredients are soaked. You can put in a little more than this if you want more soup stew :), Then boil it.

5. When boiled, add doenjang into the pot, break and mix it thoroughly. Then toss minced garlic into it. Don't forget to pour some soy sauce for seasoning :)

6. Put in chopped zucchini and tofu, heat it up again :)

7. Lastly, put in a spoonful of perilla powder, and heat it up again :) It's now done. Enjoy it with hot steamed rice and kimchi if you want to have a typical Korean home cooked meal :)

Bon Appétit!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] “The Answer to Peace: ‘DPCW 10 Articles, 38 Clauses’ - an International Law to End Wars”

Participants who attended the Advocacy Forum for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War on September 19th 2016 listened to Chairman Man-hee Lee's speech

“This is an event that proves that Korea is a country of peace.” These were the words of Dr. Patasani, Chairman of Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Nonviolent Peace, and former member of the Indian Parliament, met at the '2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit’ hosted by HWPL. He paid respect to Chairman Man-Hee Lee, saying “I have come to respect not only Chairman Man-Hee Lee, the organizer of the event, but also the Republic of Korea.”

From September 17th to 19th 2016, six months after the proclamation of the DPCW (Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War), roughly 100,000 people both domestically and abroad, including 1,000 foreign nationals from 130 countries that included former presidents and international law experts, gathered once again in Seoul to attend the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit.

Global support was shown for the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which is a peace bill conceived and drafted by Chairman Man-Hee Lee and the HWPL International Law Peace Committee for the establishment of a 'world of peace without war'.

On September 18th 2016, during the ‘2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit,’ political figures from various countries entered the parade to loud cheers from the stadium

Based on the UN Charter, the DPCW, which is comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses, is an unprecedented plan for the creation of a global village in which war is not possible. It includes prohibition of the threat or use of force, prohibition of acts of aggression, fostering of religious freedoms and spreading of a culture of peace.

Since it was proclaimed, HWPL has been appealing to the international community for their participation in enacting the DPCW as internationally binding law. The global response was immediate. Global dignitaries, including former Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and former Lebanese Minister of Law Alice Shabtini, sent letters in support of the DPCW and 540,000 people from 167 countries gave their signatures online and offline. Within a year of its proclamation, more than half a million people from 167 countries signed their support.

On September 18th 2016, guests from inside and outside the country applauded as they watched the performance of the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, Seoul

At the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit, practical discussions were held for enactment of the DPCW as an internationally binding law for the cessation of war.

On the 17th, the day before the ceremony, the 4th HWPL International Law Peace Committee Meeting (comprised of high-level legal and academic experts) and a conference urging for the enactment of an international law for world peace and the cessation of war were held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam, Seoul. In addition, a press conference and media forum was held urging for the participation and efforts of countries around the world to legislate the DPCW, centered on religious leaders, journalists, women and youth.

HWPL Chairman Man-Hee Lee, who masterminded the establishment of the DPCW, urged the presidents of each country, "If you really do not want war, you must immediately sign the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW."

Man-Hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), delivered a commemorative speech at the ‘ 2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit’ held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, Seoul on September 18th 2016

At a high-level meeting of legal and academic experts at the HWPL International Law Peace Committee - attended by 33 dignitaries including former heads of state from 25 countries such as the 3rd President of Croatia Ivo Josipović, the former Chairman of the UN International Law Commission, Peter Kavatsi, and Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and Speakers of the National Assembly - specific measures for adoption of the DPCW as UN resolution and international law were proposed, and pledges made to put them into practice.

Ivo Josipović, the 3rd president of Croatia, said, “It is important to cooperate with regional federations (such as the African Federation and the Balkan Federation) and to support global non-profit organizations, the Law Students' Association, and human rights groups. We will inform politicians and celebrities to encourage their participation”.

A media spokesperson posed a question during the Press Conference for the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit, at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Paranas on September 17th 2016

Peter Kavatsi, former chairman of the UN International Law Commission, suggested that “Different strategies have to be used for each country.” He explained, “It may be more effective for governments in developing countries to establish direct links with the judiciary, and in developed countries, civic groups and the media have greater power to move the government.”

At the Advocacy Forum for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War, a total of 239 people from all walks of life from 66 countries gathered to discuss strategic and practical ways to legislate the DPCW. The former Prime Minister of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan said, "Compared to 30 years ago, there are 10 times more wars now".

On September 17th 2016, during the 4th HWPL International Law Peace Committee Meeting, experts discussed adoption of the DPCW into the UN

Abdessattar Ben Moussa, former president of the Tunisian Human Rights League, said, “We need to campaign to get even organizations not related to the United Nations to participate. It would be effective to do it.”

People from all over the world, including religious leaders, journalists, women and youth, public associations and representatives of the Orthodox, Islamic, Hindu Sikh and Buddhist faiths gathered at each stage and put their heads together for the enactment of the DPCW as international law.

Religious leaders took part in the 'Peace March for the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit' held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, Seoul on September 18th 2016

Religious leaders sympathised with Chairman Lee’s statement that, above all else, divided religions must unite to bring about a peaceful world, and through a comparative discussion of scriptures, they agreed “the elements that a reliable scripture must possess are prophecy and fulfillment”.

In addition, journalists from every country pledged to take the lead in promoting the DPCW for its enactment as international law, and promised to ▲produce a documentary at the Chairman's urging and submit it to film festivals ▲establish a peace channel ▲cooperate with major media outlets ▲hold seminars at universities.

At the Media Forum for Advocacy of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War held on the 19th, representatives of religion, society, government, civil society, women and youth from various countries gathered and shared the need for the DPCW to be submitted to the United Nations for the realization of peace.

On September 18th 2016, during the ‘2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit,’ political figures from various countries entered the parade to loud cheers from the stadium

On the 18th, the 'Festival of Peace', a ceremony commemorating the 2nd anniversary of the WARP Summit held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul attracted 100,000 domestic and foreign citizens urging for the enactment of international law for a peaceful world. In particular, the performances during the commemorative ceremony added a new layer of artistry and a profound meaning that deeply moved the hearts of the people of the world.

The ‘Peace March’ of the ‘2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit' was held on September 18th 2016

A card section was performed by 11,440 youth members of IPYG on September 18th 2016 during the ‘2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit’

Chairman Lee's 'Drum of Heaven' and 'Trumpets of the Earth' signalled the beginning of celebrations, followed by traditional Korean performances including the Shilla fishing procession, Hangeul, traditional maskwearing, Gossamunori, Chasan Nongak, and more. The peace parade was given by 12 HWPL branches nationwide. In the last 'Daedong Festival', participants expressed the joys of becoming one and transcending border, creed and age for the sake of peace.

The ‘Peace March’ parade was held at the ‘2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit’ on September 18th 2016

A nightview shot of the ‘2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit’ held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul on September 18th 2016

Peace!

 [Food]

[Food] Hotteok (Sugar-filled Korean pancake, 호떡)

Hotteok is very popular and common street snack in Korea, chewy and sweet pan-fried bread can be seen any Korean downtown. It's origin is very old as much as Silk Road, China exchanged many culture (including gourmet) through merchants of Silk Road with Arabia and Central Asia, and hotteok which means 'gentile's cake' was one of them. Even there's a historical record which proves the first king of Tang Dynasty enjoyed it too. Then how this Chinese pancake came into the Korean peninsula and changed to hotteok, sugar-filled Korean pancake?

In 1882, the Im-O Military Revolt occurred in Korea so the Qing Dynasty dispatched its army with merchants for supply. On that time, the merchants of the Qing Dynasty brought hotteok and many Chinese gourmet (including jajangmyeon) with them, and the merchants didn't return to China. After the fall of Qing Dynasty, many of them opened Chinese-style restaurant and snack shop in Korea, and that's how Chinese-style gourmet became Korean food. In 1920s, Chinese laborers came into Korea for large construction business, and it ignited boom of hotteok in Korea.

Originally, hotteok was baked in oven but it was changed to pan-frying on huge iron pan since production of cooking oil in Korea. Since then, hotteok sellers used cooking oil or margarine to deep or pan-fry hotteok for better taste, and cheaper and convenient recipe :)

Today there are many variation of hotteok recipe, people stuffs nuts, seeds, vegetables, sweet potato noodle, brown sugar, cheese, ice cream and more into hotteok. Moreover they also changed recipe of hotteok mix which are using or adding stick rice powder, rice powder, green tea powder, mixed grains and more. I guess people of the world always find better, easier and tastier way of any food.

Hotteok is more popular in the winter because it's 'hot' cake with 'hotter' stuffing, it needs sizzling iron pan or pot to cook too. You never want to cook hotteok under blazing sun, do you?

Hotteok with vegetable and sweet potato noodle

Hotteok with ice cream and cheese

Instant green tea flavor hotteok mix

You may find instant hotteok mix at nearby Korean grocery shop, how about trying hotteok today? :)

Bon Appétit!