Why Did Jae-Hyung Park, President of Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital, Request Rice Wreaths?

Receiving Congratulations and Giving Back to the Community with Rice
Sharing with Neighbors in Need Ahead of Chuseok

Jae-Hyung Park, the director of Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital, donated the rice wreath he received at his inauguration ceremony to the local community. It is known that the rice wreath donated by Director Park was arranged at his request to share generosity instead of the one-time-use flower wreaths that are discarded.
/Photo by External Cooperation and Public Relations Team

"I thought it was a meaningful choice to receive the heartfelt congratulations from well-wishers in the form of rice wreaths rather than flower wreaths, and to pass them on to those in need in the community as an act of sharing."

Jae-Hyung Park, president of Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital, made this statement as he donated the rice wreaths he received upon his inauguration as the fourth president of the hospital.

The Public Health and Medical Service Office of Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital announced that President Park donated 1,000 kilograms of rice wreaths, which he received in celebration of his inauguration, to the Community Chest of Korea and the Social Security Committee.

President Park was appointed as the fourth president of the hospital on September 1 and held his inauguration ceremony on September 16.

At that time, President Park politely requested those sending congratulations to send rice wreaths instead of flower wreaths. He believed that flower wreaths, which are typically used for events and then discarded, are wasteful, and that receiving rice wreaths and donating them to social welfare organizations would be more meaningful.

President Jae-Hyung Park said, "I am even more delighted to receive congratulatory rice wreaths, as they can provide practical help to neighbors in need. This was only possible thanks to everyone who sent rice wreaths, making it possible to add meaning through sharing. I plan to make this donation in the name of all those who contributed. Moving forward, I will strive to make this hospital one that continues to grow and practices love for our neighbors."

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