▲ Secheon Laver.

On the morning of March 20, in the sheltered workshop (director: Park, Jin-young) located within Seocheon Amenity Welfare City (President: Priest Byeon, Yun-cheol), people with disability and social services workers were busy loading the container with boxes of seasoned laver. Despite the lingering chill of early spring, there were beads of sweat on their foreheads. It was quite a lot of work, but it did not seemed to fatigue them.

They all looked happy and energetic, and it was no surprise; they were sending 'Daon Happiness Secheon Laver', a product of their hard work, on the way to the United States across the Pacific Ocean.

For the first time, the seasoned laver produced in the sheltered workshop is to be introduced to Koreans residing in the US. Though it is not an official export, the securing of the very first overseas market is significant enough for the producers.

Arranged by Priest Han, Young-seung of the 103 Saints Korean Catholic Center in Los Angeles, total 5,200 boxes of the seasoned laver, worth 50 million Won, have been purchased for Koreans in the catholic community. Distribution was helped by CEO Park, Jong-heung of Yirang International.

Park, Ji-hye, one of the workers said, "We have put so much efforts, and I am proud and thrilled that they are sold in such a large quantity."  Director Park, Jin-young of the workshop said, at the end of the day, "We had received orders before from organizations and institutions in different regions who wanted to support self-reliance of people with disability, but this is the first time to go overseas, which is heartening for us all."

The sheltered workshop in Seocheon County opened its doors in 2010 to help disabled people live independently. It is housed in a two-story building located in Jongcheon-ri, with a total area of 615 square meters. On the first floor is the workshop (367妊), and on the second floor is the office along with shower booths, a meeting room and a recreation room. The workshop employs 33 people including 23 with intellectual disability. The seasoned laver products are sold to the general public.