The (김만덕) Kim Man-duk Memorial Hall celebrated its first anniversary June 3rd. At a heart-warming event to mark the occasion, islanders donated rice in honor of the great benevolent merchant for whom the hall is named. Mike Laidman reports.

Kim Man-duk is one of Jeju's most famous historic figures, and for good reason. She donated all of her property to famine-stricken people during the Joseon Dynasty.

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Kim Man-duk Memorial Hall celebrates first anniversary

To honor her benevolence, the province built the Kim Man-duk Memorial Hall last year.
On June 3rd, the memorial hall celebrated its first anniversary.

The hall has held various exhibitions over the last 12 months, as well as organized volunteer teams to help others.

INTERVIEW
Kim Sang-hun / Director, Kim Man-duk Memorial Hall
This memorial hall is designed to let the world know of Kim Man-duk's philanthropic spirit. It is in this center that we can inherit her spirit.
<인터뷰: 김상훈/ 김만덕기념관장>
"김만덕의 정신을 제주도, 대한민국을 넘어서 세계로 알리고 계승 발전시키기 위한 곳이 마련됐잖아요. 이런 중심이 생겨서 여기를 바탕으로 아주 열심히 우리가..."

The first anniversary was attended by many public figures.
Yi Bae-yong, head of the Academy of Korean Studies, spoke of the possibilities of developing Kim Man-duk’s image into a global icon of generosity.

He said that while many of us enjoy material affluence we are not happy because we lack warm-heartedness.

He emphasized that Ms. Kim can teach us ways to live our lives to the fullest.

Sync
Yi Bae-yong / Head, The Academy of Korean Studies
Kim Man-duk's philanthropic spirit has not passed; it should also help to shape our future.
<싱크: 이배용/ 한국학중앙연구원장>
"그 숭고한 정신이 바로 지나간 것이 아니라 미래다. 그래서 저는 이것을 오래된 미래다. 만덕의 마음은 지나간 것이 아니라 오래된 미래다."

10 tons of rice were donated to people in need at the anniversary.
Donors wished that Kim's spirit of generosity and compassion would resonate throughout the world.

INTERVIEW
Won Heerong / Jeju Governor
As Jeju develops, I hope it becomes a centerpoint of generosity, from which the spirit of Kim Man-duk spreads.
<인터뷰: 원희룡/ 제주도지사>
"우리 제주사회가 앞으로 더불어 함께 발전하면서 서로가 나누는 따듯한 사회가 될 수 있도록 김만덕 정신을 전파하는 중심지가 되길 바랍니다."

[camera]
Moon Ho-seong

[reporter]
Mike Laidman

In honor of the merchant’s generosity, (추사) Chusa (김정희) Kim Jeong-heui wrote a line of calligraphy that read (은광연세) ‘Een-Gwang-Yeon-Sae,’ meaning ‘the light of grace spreads over the world.’

Much like the meaning of these four simple characters, the Jeju people hope that the spirit of sharing and giving will help to bring light to the world.

Mike Laidman, KCTV