“We hope our small efforts will contribute to making Jeonju more beautiful.”

On October 13, in a residential neighborhood near Dong Elementary School in Inhu-dong, Jeonju, the work of repairing a shabby wall and applying fresh paint was as lovely as the crisp autumn weather.

About 50 people, including trainees receiving hanok specialized training at JBNU, President Seo Geoseok, and Nam Hae-kyung, Head of Campus Development, carried out volunteer work as part of efforts to clean up aging walls. The volunteer activity, which began at 10 a.m., brought new life to the run-down neighborhood and continued into the late afternoon.

This volunteer effort was organized by Nam Hae-kyung, Head of Campus Development at JBNU, and his protégés, who for several years have quietly repaired homes for disadvantaged neighbors free of charge. President Seo Geoseok, upon learning of the activity, also wanted to help and gave up his weekend to join the painting, adding further meaning to the service.

The trainees gathered for the volunteer work are licensed architects receiving training at the 'Hanok Technology Comprehensive Center,' a hanok specialist training program for architects supported by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. Notably, many participating architects are from regions outside North Jeolla Province rather than from Jeonbuk, which adds to the true value of their volunteerism. Because the majority are licensed architects and architecture professionals, it is rare for such experts to carry out this kind of volunteer activity.

Earlier this summer, they demonstrated sharing by repairing old homes of elderly people living alone in the Gochang area for more than two weeks. This current volunteer work is likewise a donation of their architectural skills.

This volunteer activity came after JBNU signed an agreement with Jeonju City last September to carry out the construction of hanok public facilities and volunteer activities, and represents JBNU's commitment to community service. The activity is also part of Jeonju City's 'Happy House' program, an initiative to improve aging residential environments. Building on this, JBNU plans to form a pool of hanok and architecture professionals to further beautify Jeonju.

Nam Hae-kyung, Head of Campus Development, said, “I extend encouragement and gratitude to the trainees who have demonstrated the true volunteer spirit of architects in Jeonju, even though it is not their hometown or home region,” and urged them “to continue studying the hanok techniques and spirit that JBNU promotes, contribute to regional development, and strive to leave a positive architectural culture for future generations.”

President Seo Geoseok, who joined the volunteer work that day, said, “It was a very gratifying day to be able to support efforts that practice meaningful sharing, such as repairing homes free of charge each year for disadvantaged neighbors,” and added, “As a regional flagship university, JBNU has built one of the nation's leading hanok construction infrastructures. We will continue to beautify our region and carry out specialized hanok education and Korean-style campus development projects.”