Why Did the 'Nowon-gu Myeon Mask Volunteer Corps' Send a Letter of Support to President Moon Jae-in?

'Nowon-gu Myeon Mask Uibyeongdan,' led by former tailors, shoemakers, laundry operators, and housewives from Nowon-gu, sends a letter to President Moon Jae-in, dedicating themselves to overcoming COVID-19, drawing attention

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The 'Nowon-gu Cotton Mask Volunteer Corps,' composed mainly of Nowon-gu residents including former tailors, shoe repairmen, laundry business owners, and housewives, has sent a letter to President Moon Jae-in, who is dedicating himself to overcoming COVID-19, drawing public attention.

The volunteer corps stated, "In Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok), all residents are striving to overcome COVID-19 in every aspect of daily life and workplaces without exception. Just as our nation has shone brighter through multiple national crises, this time, volunteers nicknamed the ‘Nowon-gu Cotton Mask Volunteer Corps’ have personally produced cotton masks. Following the government’s announcement that cotton masks can be sufficiently effective in prevention depending on the situation, we distributed 20,000 self-made cotton masks to residents."

They continued, "On the 11th, the cotton mask volunteer corps, initially recruited with some skepticism, quickly gathered over 300 residents in just one day who contributed their skills and joined forces. Currently, a total of about 600 members are working in shifts at four production sites making masks."

They also said, "The volunteer corps is gaining international recognition as a model case by practicing social distancing, temperature checks, and hand sanitizer use on their own," adding "We see hope. With our people who do not hoard supplies, who do not hide in difficult times but instead think of their neighbors first, and with the President, COVID-19 will surely retreat soon."

Below is the full text of the letter.

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To the Honorable President Moon Jae-in,

It has been nearly two months since COVID-19 took away our daily lives.

We send the hearts of Nowon-gu residents to you, the President who worries about the Republic of Korea more than anyone else.

In Nowon-gu, all residents are striving to overcome COVID-19 in every aspect of daily life and workplaces without exception. Just as our nation has shone brighter through multiple national crises, this time, volunteers nicknamed the ‘Nowon-gu Cotton Mask Volunteer Corps’ have personally produced cotton masks. Following the government’s announcement that cotton masks can be sufficiently effective in prevention depending on the situation, we distributed 20,000 self-made cotton masks to residents.

On March 11, the cotton mask volunteer corps, initially recruited with some skepticism, quickly gathered over 300 residents in just one day who contributed their skills and joined forces. Currently, a total of about 600 members are working in shifts at four production sites making masks.

The volunteer corps is gaining international recognition as a model case by practicing social distancing, temperature checks, and hand sanitizer use on their own. The world’s four major news agencies?France’s AFP, Germany’s state broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and the U.S. AP, UPI, and Bloomberg?filmed the mask production sites and broadcast the news worldwide. They said they were moved by the sight of Korean people uniting their strength to overcome the national crisis in difficult times.

The ‘Nowon-gu Cotton Mask Volunteer Corps’ consists of former tailors, shoe repairmen, laundry business owners, housewives, and others who say they enjoy every day because they can contribute even a small amount of help.

We see hope. With our people who do not hoard supplies, who do not hide in difficult times but instead think of their neighbors first, and with the President, COVID-19 will surely retreat soon.

Gathering the strength of Nowon-gu residents, the Nowon-gu Volunteer Corps sincerely made these cotton masks with the hope for your health and the fighting spirit of the Republic of Korea.

Mr. President, we have the people. And we have 550,000 Nowon-gu residents.

Stay strong~~ Fighting!

Sincerely, Nowon-gu Cotton Mask Volunteer Corps.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.