Q&A) Are you wondering about MANNAM?

Q) What is the meaning of 'when light meets light, there is victory'?

A) Every single person is a light and should become a light. As these people who are like light meet, we can defeat the dark world. The MANNAM’s slogan is “when light meets light, there is victory!”

Q) What does MANNAM pursue in its “culture and art service”?

A) MANNAM is well-known for its strong volunteerism and outstanding cultural event planning ability. Delivering donation to the less fortunate is also a service that MANNAM is involved in, however, the delivering messages of hope and love through cultural and art performances is also what MANNAM pursues. Therefore, every MANNAM event is accompanied with an art and cultural performance of high standards.

Q) Why does MANNAM do country-related events?

A) It is very natural to dedicate time and efforts to those we love. As MANNAM loves its country and sincerely appreciates those who sacrificed their lives for the country, it is logical to give our time and effort. We do not see this as sacrifice. The question of “why do you do country-related events?” is equivalent to the question of “why do you love another?”

Q) Question to the Chairwoman of MANNAM: “What does volunteer work mean to you?”

A) I believe that the basic foundation of every ideology is filial piety, and this is not limited to only Korea. When one is dutiful to one’s parent, it is filial piety; when the same devotion is shown to a country, it becomes loyalty; and in religion, it becomes faith. This is based on sacrifice, thinking of others before oneself, which is related to the core mentality and spirit of volunteer service. Service in MANNAM is voluntary and dedicating oneself as he/she is doing work at one’s home, even when picking up garbage on the street. This is the spirit of MANNAM.

Q) What are the future plans of MANNAM?

A) For world peace, there must be the unification of Korea. Every MANNAM member sincerely longs for unification and is concerned with the issue. Hence, during the 65^th Anniversary of Korean Independence Day event, MANNAM announced the Declaration of Unification which expresses hope for a true unification of North and South Korea. Also, the Declaration of Unification monument was set in the east and west, where the north is in sight.  

Also, as the entire world must cooperate among one another for the unification of Korea, MANNAM will take the lead in forming and evoking the world’s consensus and support. For world peace, MANNAM pursues to become the ambassador of world peace and will host world cultural exchange events.

A thought about MANNAM with Teogye Lee Hwang

Yesterday, I was listening to the radio on the way driving home. The radio hosts were talking about Teogye Lee Hwang, who was a famous scholar and politician that valued people's virtue. He was admired by many people, and the reason for that was because of his humble and noble character. And then the host continues to tell a story.

When Lee Hwang's son was getting married, it was said that his son's wife came from a household that was well-off than his. Parents of both families met to discuss about the wedding; however, the bride's family immediately disrespected and treated Taegyo Lee Hwang with contempt. One of the bride's family members deliberately poured water on his chair and ordered Taeygo Lee Hwang to clean it up. Taegyo Lee Hwang could've been angry at them for putting him to shame, but he didn't.

This is what he said.

The honor of the family does not go wrong when one says it's wrong. When our family begins to do the same by resenting and quarreling with the other family, that is when the honor of the family goes wrong.

Besides, even if we were to be treated contemptuously and started to hate them back, how troubled my daughter-in-law, who just became a part of the family, would be? For the sake of my daughter-in-law, let's try to put this matter behind us. Several thoughts came to my mind after hearing this. It made me think 'how did I treat those who sent me cold glances,' and 'like the in-laws, was there ever a time that I sent cold glances in situations I didn't know about?'

And then I thought about MANNAM. Regarding this, people do not have a positive view on MANNAM, but is spoken about in an ill-manner. However, the MANNAM that I have felt and seen was not the place people have been claiming that it was. There is no discrimination nor is there a force upon religion. We pursue a world of peace, no war or disputes, but bring different cultures together in unity. This is what MANNAM promotes, and this is the MANNAM that I have felt. I am confident that by participating in MANNAM activities, we will be closer to achieving world peace.  

How must I feel about those who criticize against things that they don't even properly know about? Like Taegyo Lee Hwang, even if the people were to criticize MANNAM, it's wouldn't be right to do the same to them. We must have a heart that is big enough to embrace even these kind of criticisms.