Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Hosts "Healing Concert" for Rare Disease Patients; Provincial Assemblyman Moon Seung-ho: "No One Should Suffer Alone"

A healing concert for rare disease patients and their families was held in the main conference hall of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly on the 24th.

The event, themed "Today's Fulfillment, A Special Day Together," drew around 150 rare disease patients and family members. The program, emceed by comedian Son Heon-su, featured a mind-healing lecture by Professor Lee Ho-seon, a performance by traditional musician Mo Sun-mi, and a magic show by Magic Palace.

Artworks from participants in "Picture Shelter," a newly introduced art therapy self-help program this year where participants care for themselves through art, were also displayed and drew attention.

Provincial Assemblyman Moon Seung-ho, Vice Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party, Seongnam District 1), who attended the event, offered words of encouragement to patients and families and expressed his commitment to ensuring stable psychological and emotional support.

Assemblyman Moon said, "For rare disease patients and their families, an ordinary daily life may be a more earnest wish than anyone else's," and added, "I offer my respect and encouragement to those who have endured long periods of treatment and care."

With the intent of sharing the emotional difficulties of rare disease patients and their families, Gyeonggi Province allocated 50 million won in its 2025 budget—the first local government in the nation to do so—and launched support projects by entrusting them to Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center. This concert was organized as part of these efforts.

At the venue, voices were raised hoping for the continuation and expansion of the project. When Jung Jin-hyang, Secretary General of the Korean Rare and Intractable Diseases Association, expressed concern saying, "I worry that this related budget might disappear amid difficult financial circumstances," Assemblyman Moon responded, "The assembly and I will take interest and lend our support to ensure that assistance needed by patients and families does not stop."

Assemblyman Moon warmly greeted a student with Crohn's disease who harbors dreams of becoming a national representative swimmer and cheered on their aspirations. The student's father said, "We heard about an event for rare disease patients in Gyeonggi Province and came here ourselves," and added, "It was a great comfort, and we hope that similar events and support will be realized in other local governments as well."

Assemblyman Moon stated, "The reason your lives are special is not because of rare diseases, but because each of you is a precious and one-of-a-kind existence in the world," and continued, "I hope the warm memories shared today become strength in the daily lives of patients and families, and I will make every effort to prepare necessary support and systems so that no one has to bear difficulties alone."