(Clearwisdom.net) The International Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition was held in medium and small cities in the southern part of South Korea. From August 11 to 16, 2009, the exhibition was held on the second floor of the exhibition hall of the Jinju City government building.

At 5 p.m. on August 11, the Deputy Mayor of Jinju, the Speaker of the City Council, Director of the Jinju Association of the Positive Life Movement, Director of the Jinju Art Association and others attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Mr. Kwon Hong-Dae, President of the Falun Dafa Association of Korea, said at the ceremony, "The artists expose the ongoing human rights persecution in China via paintings. They completed the paintings with their hearts." He also mentioned one of the artists, Professor Zhang Kunlun, who was imprisoned for three months in China for explaining the facts about Falun Gong.

Mr. Pak, former member of the Jinju Culture Council, attended the opening ceremony as an invited guest. He said, "I am a calligrapher. I felt good when viewing the paintings. I think whoever views the paintings feel peace and comfort."

Former director Mr. Hong of the Jinju Branch of the Health Insurance Corporation said, "The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s persecution is so cruel. For a healthy life, people should follow Truth-Compassion-Forbearance. It is intolerable for the persecution to happen in a self-claimed powerful country." He continued, "I think all Korean people should view the paintings. Seeing the paintings, I felt the pain of those who were tortured. I had tears in my eyes. I was so touched by the perfect expression of the paintings." He also expressed his appreciation to the Falun Dafa Association of Korea for hosting the exhibition.

Among the viewers in the exhibition, students from an art school caught the attention of others. The teacher who brought the students there asked them to enter group by group to let them view the paintings more carefully. She did not let all of them enter at the same time. After viewing the paintings, the teacher said, "The exhibition not only lets us learn painting skills from the outstanding works, but offers educational effects to enlighten viewers' conscience. It is very good. I will bring more students to view the paintings tomorrow."

A lady in her 70s came to view the paintings on two consecutive days and said she would come on the next day again. She helped another lady crutches see all the paintings. The lady said, "We live in a small community. Though she cannot walk well, I brought her here to view the paintings."

She said, "On seeing the paintings, my worries disappeared. I have viewed many paintings in my life, but this is the first time to see paintings that can help to solve my worries. So I brought her here. "

Since the exhibition was held in the Jinju city government building, many government staff saw the paintings during their lunch break. Many people who came for business also viewed the paintings after seeing posters about the exhibition. The Jinju local newspaper and TV station covered the exhibition.