UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | The World Art Exhibition for Peace has donated a total of 40 K-Folk paintings to the Yeoju Prison, “illuminating the path of rehabilitation through art.”

Chairman of the Board Lee Jon-young, the donor, continuously practices ‘Rehabilitation through Art’ and the donation includes eight pieces to the Correctional Facilities (prison).
On April 12 this year, Warden Choi Jong-il of the Yeoju Prison hosted a donation ceremony for artworks of 2026 aimed at improving the cultural environment within the correctional facility and fostering the emotional well-being of the inmates.

This donation ceremony is widely considered a meaningful event organized to convey the messages of rehabilitation and hope through art, and to provide emotional stability and cultural comfort to the inmates.

On this day, the Organizing Committee of the World Art Exhibition for Peace donated 40 K-Folk paintings to the Yeoju Prison, which included 'Unryongdo' (Painting of the Cloud and Dragon). The art works presented this time embody the unique symbolism and warm sentiment characteristic of traditional Korean folk painting, and are expected to have a positive impact not only on the psychological stability of the viewers but also on the cultivation of their cultural sensitivity.

Folk painting is considered a 'living art of the Korean people' that has long contained symbols of fortune, longevity, peace, success, and hope. It is also regarded as a special cultural content that conveys the messages of comfort and hope to those preparing for a new life.

Key figures from various fields attended the event, including Chairman Kim Dong-hyun of the Hope Support Group at YK Law Firm, Chairman Lee Jon-young of the Board of Directors of the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee, Veneral Yeo Yong-ju (Iljeong, head priest of the Gapaam Temple under the Iljeong Buddhist Cultural Foundation, Representative Kang Seok-won of the KS Gallery and Professor Choi Byung-hwan of Myongji University, who experienced the significance of cultural sharing.

In his congratulatory remarks, Warden Choi Jong-il of the Yeoju Correctional Institution stated, “This donation of artwork goes beyond mere spatial decoration but it is a precious cultural gift that conveys a new perspective and peace of the mind to the inmates.”

Then he said: “I hope that both staff and inmates will appreciate the donated works, experience positive emotional changes, and enrich their time for rehabilitation and reflection.”

Chairman Lee Jon-young of the World Peace Art Exhibition also remarked, “Art has the power to heal the human heart and change the direction of life.”

Then he expressed hopes that the donation will become a small seed of hope for the inmates and serve as an opportunity to prepare for a healthy return to society.”

Meanwhile, the YK Law Firm Hope Support Group led by Chairman Kim Dong-hyun is a volunteer organization established to support the self-reliance and social reintegration of inmates, contributing to the improvement of correctional welfare through various social contribution activities.

In particular, Chairman Lee Jon-young of the Board of Directors of the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee, has consistently carried out rehabilitation activities through art, having donated artwork to correctional facilities nationwide on eight separate occasions.

This is recognized as a continuous social contribution activity that goes beyond mere cultural sponsorship to put the values of healing and hope into practice through art.

This donation of artwork to the Yeoju Prison is expected to be recorded as a meaningful instance of cultural sharing that puts into practice the message that "art changes people, and culture creates hope."