'Students, each of your helping hands will be a great support to struggling rural communities. I hope that this rural volunteer service becomes an opportunity for you to appreciate the value of hard work.'

This year, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) dispatched approximately 1,600 students—the largest number nationwide—to rural volunteer activities. On July 16, President Seo Geoseok also joined the students participating in the rural volunteer activities.

On the day, President Seo visited Banghwa Village and Anbang Village in Jinan County to encourage students who were working hard in the summer rural volunteer activities in Muju, Jinan, Imsil and other areas, and to participate in the volunteer work alongside them.

President Seo participated with the students in mural painting, weeding and other activities to clean up the village environment, and he also spent informal time conversing with villagers and students.

President Seo told the students, 'I hope this rural volunteer activity will be an opportunity to face the difficult realities of rural life and to understand the hardships of farmers,' and he emphasized, 'The sweat you shed today will remain a valuable experience after you enter society.'