Eumseong Flower Village Love Training Center

History & origins

The Kkottongnae Training Institute of Love was created as Kkottongnae expanded the experience gained through its ministry of care into education and lived experience. Contemporary records state that Kkottongnae supporters had conducted a “Hand-in-Hand Movement of Love” from 1986 to secure the land, while government support, public donations, benefactors, and volunteer labor contributed to the construction of the facility. The institute opened on May 13, 1997, with a program that included a special homily, a Mass of thanksgiving, and a commemorative ceremony.

At the time of its opening, the institute included meeting spaces for seminars and public forums, accommodations for individual and group retreats, a resource room, and a library. It was therefore designed from the beginning not merely as lodging but as a setting for education, retreats, and shared experience. A 2007 report marking the tenth anniversary described students, university students, employees of companies and public institutions, military personnel, and other visitors coming to the institute, meeting residents of Kkottongnae, and taking part in service and educational programs.

Over time, Kkottongnae more clearly positioned the Training Institute of Love as the educational center responsible for the “happiness” dimension of its fourfold apostolate. This represented an extension of its ministry beyond caring for poor and marginalized people toward preventing the causes of a “lack of love” through education and experience. The history of the institute is thus closely linked with the process by which Kkottongnae's experience of care was developed into an educational apostolate centered on learning love and happiness.