Korea and the Lions Club 2012

As the Lions Club International plans for its Annual International Convention…this year being in Korea, many people in the US have a vague memory of the Korean War….clearly a changing point in history in terms of limiting the sweeping wave of Communism in Asia.  American forces, joined by many other countries, came to the aid of South Korea and freedom, and although the cost to all was great, freedom prevailed, and today we have a prosperous South Korea and a vibrant Asia in general. Korea’s history is rich, and as we travel there, it is important to understand what has transpired over the years to make this great country what it is today.
For over five thousand years, the Korean people have managed to maintain their exceptional culture despite numerous acts of aggression from its powerful neighbors including China, Russia and Japan. Knowing that the last 100 years of Korean history includes invasion, occupation, war and dictatorship, visitors to the country are almost always amazed at just how quickly Korea was able to recover and become a leading democratic economic power. The recovery is known as the Miracle on the Han (river), but once you come to Korea and feel it’s energy, you will know that it’s no miracle. There is a sense of energy that exists in Korean consciousness, regardless of whether an individual is Buddhist or Christian, or atheist. Most Korean people attribute the success of their country to this energy, which is divided into three types: Gi, Heung and Jeong. Grasping these important principles of the Korean belief system will surely instill a deep understanding of Korean culture.
So, as Lions from all over the world travel to Busan, in South Korea…..take a moment and appreciate this great country and the history that it brings to the world