[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Arbor Day Event in Korea

Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The  DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's Arbor Day event to celebrate Korea's 80th Arbor Day in Korea :)

80th Arbor Day 2025 Event: National Well-Being Tree Sharing and Tree Planting Campaign

Arbor Day, A Perfect Day for Planting Trees

▲ Tree planting campaign with local citizens in Yeongju
Planting a sustainable future together — “Arbor Day: A Perfect Day for Planting Trees”

In celebration of Korea’s 80th Arbor Day, HWPL Global Branch 05, in partnership with the Korea Forest Conservation Association and the Together Daegu-Gyeongbuk Committee, organized a large-scale tree planting and seedling sharing campaign from March 31 to April 14 across wildfire-affected areas in Daegu and Gyeongbuk Province.

Starting in the Yeongju region of North Gyeongsang Province, this campaign continued in Duryu Park and Palgongsan Mountain in Daegu. Over 500 citizens and volunteers participated, planting 4,200 saplings and sharing messages of hope with the local community.

▲ Tree planting activities in Yeongju
Steps of peace taken in harmony with nature

The campaign was carried out in partnership with the Korea Forest Conservation Association Central Headquarters. Saplings were carefully planted in areas where the land maintained some of its fertility, rather than in sites fully scorched by wildfires. On April 6, HWPL volunteers visited the site in Yeongju and initiated the restoration efforts by planting saplings.

“Forest damage and loss of human life are grave, national tragedies,” said Huh Taejo, chairman of the Korea Forest Conservation Association. “My heart aches for the residents who lost their homes and livelihoods to these fires, and I sincerely hope disasters like this never happen again.”

▲ Citizens gather at the sapling distribution booth

On April 12, a seedling distribution event held at Duryu Park in Daegu received an enthusiastic response from local citizens. By encouraging residents to take saplings home and plant trees themselves, this initiative served as an opportunity to raise public awareness about environmental conservation. The campaign successfully concluded on April 14 with the final tree planting taking place in the Palgongsan Mountain area.

“This campaign was far more than just an Arbor Day event. It was a practical effort aimed at restoring wildfire-damaged areas and supporting community recovery,” a representative from HWPL Global Branch 05 said. “HWPL will continue to take the lead whenever and wherever support is needed in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area.”

▲ Volunteers planting trees in Yeongju, Duryu Park, and Palgongsan Mountain
A promise of life blooms with fingertips covered in soil.

HWPL Official Homepage

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/home-hwpl-_en/