Ministry of Health and Welfare, Jogye Order sign MOU for 'Family Care' project using temple stays

Ven. Jinwoo, head of the administrative office of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (left), and Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong pose for a photo at the signing ceremony for the "Family Care" project MOU held Wednesday at the Jogye Order headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Ministry of Health and Welfare]
Ven. Jinwoo, head of the administrative office of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (left), and Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong pose for a photo at the signing ceremony for the "Family Care" project MOU held Wednesday at the Jogye Order headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Ministry of Health and Welfare]

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Buddhist Cultural Service of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism signed an MOU Wednesday at the Jogye Order headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to launch the "Family Care" project. The project will offer families of missing children the chance to heal and reconnect through temple stay programs.

The agreement was designed to provide rest and family recovery programs for families of missing children and families subject to child abuse case management.

Under the MOU, the two organizations will jointly plan and operate programs aimed at family care and healing, including temple stays.

Participants will spend one night and two days at a Buddhist temple, experiencing traditional cultural programs to find psychological stability away from daily life, restore communication among family members and strengthen emotional bonds.

"This agreement is meant to create an opportunity for families going through hardship to tend to their emotional well-being and rebuild their relationships," Minister Jeong said. "We will actively support the recovery of family functioning through healing programs rooted in traditional culture."

Ven. Jinwoo, head of the Jogye Order's administrative office, said Wednesday's signing was "a gathering to lay the groundwork for cooperation between the government and the Buddhist community in support of family care, healing and the well-being of the people." He added that he hoped "the government's thoughtful welfare administration and the order's warm practice of compassion will become one, enriching the lives of the people."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Buddhist Cultural Service have previously supported temple stay experiences for workers at homeless facilities in 2023 and for families of people with developmental disabilities in 2025.


thlee@heraldcorp.com