On May 4, Andre Church — the Andre branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus — held a community outreach event near a training center in Beomil-dong, Busan, in observance of Children's Day.
The initiative, timed for Family Month, aimed to foster informal communication with residents and to hear local concerns firsthand. About 20 volunteers participated.
The church provided balloon art and character balloons for children and distributed snacks such as puffed rice crisps to parents and other residents. Organizers also conducted a brief survey to gather community feedback.
Local merchants cooperated at the site: some businesses helped set up stalls and expressed willingness to support future events, contributing to a friendly atmosphere. Residents and shoppers joined in taking photos and responded positively to the program.
\"It was nice to enjoy this with my children, and the overall atmosphere was bright and impressive,\" one attendee said. \"If these activities continue, the neighborhood will likely feel more lively,\" another resident added.
However, some residents raised safety concerns due to heavy vehicle traffic in the area and called for more secure spaces for activities; others suggested expanding efforts for environmental cleanup.
A spokesperson for Andre Church said, \"We believe building trust through natural communication with local residents is essential. We will continue community activities with safety and consideration as our top priorities.\"
Busan = Reporter Seo Jin-hyeok (seojh613@viva100.com)
