ⓒ 2013 WATV

In winter, people shrink with their faces tingling with a stinging wind. in this season, those who live apart from their families particularly miss the warm arms of their mothers. Conscripted policemen, who make efforts to suppress protests and maintain public order, are no exception; they, too, need the peace of mind since they are working in police stations as a way of military service for twenty-one months, leaving their homes.

On December 24, 2013, around 80 conscripted policemen belonging to the Nambu Police Station in Daegu visited the Bukgu Church in Daegu for seeing “Our Mother” Writing and Photo exhibition. They could come thanks to the invitation of a member of the Bukgu Church.

At around 3 p.m., the policemen entered the exhibition in good order with a some-what tense look on their faces. Their valiant footsteps sometimes slowed or stopped to read the writings one by one. Tears welled up in some eyes, and some were choked up, thinking of their mothers staying at home far away.

The officer who led them welcomed the exhibition, saying, “The heartwarming articles may greatly comfort our policemen as they are exhausted mentally and physically, working day and night. Now in this age, egoism is prevalent. This exhibition gives a relief to our heartless society.”

Corporal Park Seong-pyo said, “Mother is like the endless universe, whose love has no beginning and end. I was choked with emotion at the thought of my mother who makes do with a humble dish when she’s alone.” Other policemen also made up their minds to become faithful sons, saying, “I will call my mother more often,” or “I will spend much time with my mother when I have a day off.”

After the exhibition, the policemen gathered in small groups and took pictures in the Photo Zone to keep this pleasant memory. They returned to the station, containing the lingering feeling in their minds from watching the videos about mothers’ love and sacrifice.

In June last year, “Our Mother” writing and Photo exhibition with topics of Mother’s love, sacrifice, remorse, and sympathy began from the Gangnam Church in Seoul. As it was complimented by people from all walks of life achieving in their chosen fields such as education, media, and culture, the exhibition was expanded to six metropolitan cities and even to small and medium-sized cities such as Suwon and Jeonju. Men and women of all ages, including workers under chronic stress, students tired from arduous study and preparation for employment, and the elderly having few opportunities of enjoying cultural life, have been coming endlessly, and the total number of viewers reached up to 17 thousand. In the beginning of this year, the exhibition, which has established a good reputation that it revives dried emotion of modern people with Mother’s love, will continually be held in many cities of the nation such as Gwanak in Seoul, Changwon, Ansan, and Chuncheon in succession.

ⓒ 2013 WATV