[Food]

[Food] Bbyeo Jjim (Braised Back Ribs, 뼈찜)

Last Tuesday was my day-off, so I took the intercity bus to Sokcho to visit my friend who also had a day-off. About 4 years ago, when I lived in Sokcho, there were many of my favorite restaurants there, but today, there is only one favorite place left, which leaves me saddened :(

There is an old Bbyeo Jjim (Braised Back Ribs, 뼈찜) house that uses spicy seasoning and sauce on pork back ribs. It's very joyful to see one's favorite eatery still in business with swarming customers :) When I visited the Bbyeo jjim eatery, there were many people eating bbyeo jjim, even though it was a late lunch.

The owner of the restaurant naturally served us banchan (side dish), soon followed by bbyeo-jjim. Bbyeo-jjim was covered in a mountain of beansprouts with spicy seasoning and sauce.

Bbyeo-jjim is a variation of 'Gamjatang' which is Korean-style pork backbone soup. Both are braised pork back bone but bbyeo-jjim doesn't have as much soup as gamjatang, it has a thicker and more dense sauce and seasoning with bean sprouts :) Moreover, it's often hotter and spicier than gamjatang.

To enjoy bbyeo jjim, you have to scrape the meat off its backbone with a spoon and chopsticks. It's very easy because backbone meat is soft and silky - it just falls off the bone when you touch it :)

For a better taste, dip your meat into a  Japanese horseradish sauce provided. This greenish horseradish sauce stings the mouth and nostrils, but gives a very refreshing flavor which prevents your tongue from being filled with a fatty and oily taste :)

Don't forget to indulge in a spicy sauce with bean sprouts :) Its crunchy texture and spicy taste will give a little 'kick' between the thick meaty flavor :)

I enjoyed a whole meat dish so much, with bone, beansprouts and spicy sauce, and I'm also happy that this restaurant will remain open as long as people visit it :)

If you ever visit Sokcho in Korea, visit this fabulous bbyeo jjim place for meat with a superb taste :)

Bon Appétit!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's 29th Peace Tour, Africa Peace Network

On August 15th 2018, the Peace Forum was held at the UN Economic Commission for Africa in South Africa. At the event, Rift Valley University appointed Chairman Lee as Honorary Dean.

Chairman Lee delivered a presentation at the Peace Forum held at the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

Heavenly Culture, World Peace,  Restoration of Light (HWPL, Chairman Man-hee Lee) has made a total of 31 overseas peace trips so far. On the 29th-31st peace tour, the Pan-African Parliament, which is the legislative body of the 55 most prominent African countries, sent an official letter of support to all 55 countries for adoption of the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), and two countries enacted it as national declaration.

HWPL took its first steps in May 2012 and ran for over 7 years until April 2019 in order to create a global village of peace free from conflict to leave as an eternal legacy for future generations.

Chairman Man-hee Lee (second from left) visited the headquarters of the PAP in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 9th, 2018.

During the tour that will be highlighted in this report, Chairman Man-hee Lee and his peace delegation travelled not only to Africa, but also to Australia for the first time. As a result, HWPL has visited all six continents, including Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania, to declare the news of peace. In the end, among all six continents, there is no place that Chairman Lee did not visit. In addition, their peace mission activities were reported globally through national broadcasts and media outlets.

The 29th~31st Peace Tour was ▲29th South Africa, Ethiopia (Aug. 8th~18th 2018) ▲30th Philippines, Australia, Cambodia (February 13th~23rd, 2019) ▲31st Romania (Mar.31st~April 3rd, 2019).

On August 10th, 2018, at the high-level African Leaders of Peace Summit held at the Hilton Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, Minister of Economic Planning and Development and the Royal Prince of Eswatini, HRH Prince Hlangusemphi attended as a presidential envoy, declaring his support for the DPCW on a national level and signing the agreement. A commemorative photo was taken with Chairman Lee.

HWPL carried out their 29th peace tour in Africa for 11 days and 10 nights from August 8th to 18th 2018, bearing many fruits of peace.

Firstly, on August 9th, the Pan-African Parliament, which is a legislative body of 55 African countries, sent an official letter of support to the Pan-African Parliament for the 10 articles and 38 clauses of HWPL's 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'.  On that day, a letter of support for the DPCW was delivered directly to Chairman Man-hee Lee by PAP President Roger Nkodo Dang at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. In addition, HWPL signed an MOU with PAP. The PAP invited Chairman Lee and his peace delegation to the parliament to listen to the message of peace.

The PAP is the legislative body of the African Union (AU), which is a coalition of 55 African countries. Decisions made by the PAP carry the same legal effect within all 55 member states of the AU. For this reason, the PAP's support for the DPCW is equivalent to the support of all 55 African countries.

Chairman Lee and his peace delegation held a press conference with reporters from all over Africa at Cape Town Civic Centre, South Africa, on August 11th 2018.

The PAP's support for the DPCW has great significance in that it increases the likelihood of the DPCW being proposed by HWPL to the United Nations for ratification as international law. In order for the DPCW to become a legitimate peace bill for the international community, it must be adopted as a resolution by the UN General Assembly. In order to be adopted as a resolution, it must be submitted to the UN General Assembly as a resolution during the regular session of the UN General Assembly (typically September to December every year) and obtain the consent of at least two-thirds of the 193 UN member states, that is, at least 129 countries.

Moreover, on the tour, two African countries, Eswatini and Seychelles, adopted the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as a national declaration proposed by HWPL for peace. It was seen to be very unusual for a foreign government to adopt and publicize a peace declaration drafted by a private organization for enactment as a national declaration. A national declaration requires an incumbent president to sign an official document, which then increases the likelihood of introducing relevant policies. HWPL proved that, in this regard, Chairman Man-hee Lee has the answer to achieving peace and is putting it into practice.

A peace delegation urges support for the DPCW during the high-level African Leaders of Peace Summit at the Hilton Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 10th 2018.

Earlier, Chairman Man-hee Lee appointed 21 world-class legal experts, formed the HWPL International Law Peace Committee and officially declared the DPCW to the world on March 14th 2016. The DPCW is a legal document drafted as a solution for the cessation of war and achievement of peace for ratification as a legally binding instrument. In fact, there has been repeated criticism that world peace cannot be achieved under current international legislation, which permits war where necessary. Therefore, Chairman Lee announced the DPCW for the prevention, management and resolution of all conflict.

The DPCW, which consists of 10 articles and 38 clauses in total, consists of the prohibition of threats or use of force, reduction of war potential and repurposing of weapons, development of friendly relations and prohibition of acts of aggression, prohibition of coercion against internationally recognized state boundaries, ensuring the right to self-determination, international dispute resolution, the right to self-defence, freedom of religion, promotion of religious and ethnic identity, and the spreading of a culture of peace. Chairman Lee, who contributed to bringing about the end of the 40-year bloody conflict in Mindanao, Philippines - the then largest conflict area in Asia - suggested two solutions for world peace; that is, the enactment of international law for the cessation of war and the unification of religions.

On August 15th 2018, the deans of 10 universities in Ethiopia attended the UN Economic Commission for Africa in South Africa, signed an MOU with HWPL and took a commemorative photo. On that day, university representatives were appointed as HWPL advisors.

Chairman Lee has been appealing to former and incumbent presidents, religious leaders, and women and youth in each country to join the world peace movement through “peace tours” that have traversed the globe since 2012.

With international organizations such as the United Nations, African countries are the first to lobby for the adoption of major resolutions within the international community, as both powerful and weak countries exercise one country and one vote each. However, HWPL received immediate official support from 55 African countries through their sincere peace movement, reflecting the great expectations and interest of African countries for HWPL and the DPCW. Such expectations were continuously affirmed during and after Chairman Lee's peace tour in Africa.

In addition, as two African countries adopted the DPCW as a national declaration, it showed that world peace, which no other international organization or nation could achieve. can become a reality.

HWPL also agreed to participate in a campaign to spread a culture of peace by meeting African social leaders, religious people, youth and women to promote the DPCW so that nations' respective presidents can support it.

Religious leaders share their opinions on the DPCW during the African Leaders of Peace Summit held at the Western Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, on August 13th 2018.

On August 15th, Chairman Lee participated in the ‘International Ethiopia Peace Conference’ held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and shared HWPL’s peace solutions with government officials, educators and the youth. Afterwards, the representatives of 10 Ethiopian universities and presidents signed an MOU for with HWPL's peace education and decided to conduct peace education at each university.

The next day, on the 16th, at the African Union Headquarters (AU), the 2018 Addis Ababa Summit with HWPL was held and attended by political leaders and legal dignitaries from Africa and the Middle East for discussion of the enactment of international laws to help stabilize the internal situation for creation of a conflict-free Africa.

Chairman Lee, sitting on the highest level, attended the 2018 "Addis Ababa Summit" and the 'International Cooperation for Sustainable Peace' forum at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, South Africa, on August 16th 2018. The event was attended by a number of key African and high-ranking officials from political and legal circles, as well as leaders of countries in the Middle East.

Peace!

[Food]

[Food] Gopchangjeongol (Beef Tripe Casserole, 곱창전골)

Koreans have enjoyed eating beef for a long time and began eating more beef from the Chosun dynasty onwards (approx. 600 years ago) because the Chosun dynasty believed in Confucianism more than in Buddhism which prohibits the killing of any living thing. Therefore, the everyday people of the Chosun kingdom ate roast beef and beef soup as a special meal.

More than anyone, it was especially the soldiers in Korea who needed plenty of protein from meat, so they cooked casserole with beef and pork. They used their iron helmets that they wore for battle to cook with because of its deep and wide dimensions, and their wide and round visor. Soldiers roasted meat and vegetables on their visors and boiled beef-stock and soup to make beef casserole. At that time, beef was also expensive, as it is today, so they used ox intestines which was cheaper than the flesh. Koreans call this dish 'Gopchangjeongol (Beef Tripe Casserole, 곱창전골'.

Ox has five types of intestine and they are a fatty, but very chewy and savory, food with a unique texture and umami (savoriness). When ox intestines are boiled or roasted, it secretes much oil, and this oil adds a rich aroma and taste to the dish. Different from Japanese-style beef tripe casserole, Korean-style beef tripe casserole - 'Gopchangjeongol' - uses spicy red chili powder, spring onion, onion, red chili, mushroom and beef to give a deep and thick meaty taste with spicy seasoning, which Koreans love.

Ox intestine was a cheap ingredient a long time ago but it has become so popular these days. It's as expensive a part of beef as other parts of ox. However, it's still cheaper than beef :)

The winter season is upon us in Korea,and will arrive soon after autumn passes:) I will cook gobchangjeongol for the cold winter nights :)

Bon Appétit! 

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] Chairman Man-Hee Lee's Speech at the 7th Anniversary of 918 Peace WARP Summit

HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light; Chairman Man-Hee Lee) hosted the 7th Anniversary of the 918 WARP (World Alliance of Religions' Peace) Summit to celebrate the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) and peace initiatives that have been carried out with peace ambassadors and affiliates. Chairman Man-Hee Lee of HWPL delivered an impressive and moving speech for world peace at the event. I would like to share excerpts of his speech.

"Lest we change our goal people, let's not change. What did we say? We said, 'We are one"

"We will achieve our goal in God with the word 'Peace'. We will do this with one heart and one will."

"We made a promise in front of the people of the world and God at the 1st HWPL World Peace Summit. We promised that we would achieve world peace and cessation of war."

"We have to love each other like we do ourselves. We have to take care of this earth which our ancestors passed on. We have to make paradise on this earth as an eternal legacy."

"Everything that we have established and built will be ruined if there is no peace. Therefore, shouldn't we achieve world peace with one heart?"

"Let's never change. Doesn't HWPL want world peace and cessation of war? HWPL wants to achieve world peace at all costs."

Let's achieve world peace with HWPL and Chairman Man-Hee Lee!

Peace!

 [Food]

[Food] Seonjitguk (Ox Blood Soup, 선짓국)

There are many world foods and cuisines that use the blood of livestock such as pig, cow or sheep. From Greece, Finland and Sweden to Mongolia, China and Korea, there are various dishes that use blood - sausages, pudding and soup.

Koreans started eating beef since ancient times, 'Seonjiguk (Ox Blood Soup, 선짓국)' is one of them. 'Seonji' is the fresh blood of ox, and this word comes from 'Seongi', which means 'blood' in Mongolian. Although we don't know how this word came and settled in Korea to mean 'ox blood', people love eating fresh ox blood.

It looks like a dark, red chocolate chunk or a huge bouncy pudding, but it's actually freshly coagulated ox's blood that can be easily broken, even with one's little finger. If it's not fresh, it smells of blood and iron which is very yucky. So people usually add black pepper powder to remove the smell.

Despite its look and smell, it is nutritiously helpful for women and elderly people because it contains plentiful sources of iron, potassium (kalium) and protein while remaining low in fat and carbohydrates. So it can be eaten as a healthy diet benefitting weight loss. However, it contains high cholesterol so it's best not eat for people with hyperlipidemia.

People usually eat seonjitguk as a type of haejangguk (Korean hangover soup) in speciality haejangguk restaurants after heavy drinking. Korean cooks put bean sprouts, gochujang (Korean red chili paste), doenjang (Korean bean paste), red chili powder and spring onion with ox blood to cook seonjitguk.

Luckily, ox blood is a very cheap part of cow meat compared to beef and bones, and it has an unique bloody taste and smell with a soft and bouncy texture. So people with a weak stomach and children often don't want to eat seonjitguk though it is a very cheap and healthy dish. If you visit a traditional Korean market, seonjitguk usually costs 4,500 ~ 9,000 Korean Won, equivalent to 4.5~9 dollars. So it has been a good friend for ordinary folks in Korea since its birth. Some restaurants with beef speciality often serve seonjitguk for free because, again, it's cheap.

Beef Tartar Bibimbab with Seonjitguk 

If you consider yourself a true meat-lover, how about challenging yourself by sampling Korean seonjitguk? You may like it :)

Bon Appétit!