KT&G (CEO Baek Bok-in) will provide the emergency support of 300 million won for residents of Gangneung, which has recently been declared a special disaster area due to the forest fire.

Through Community Chest of Korea, KT&G will provide donations to the Korea Disaster Relief Association, and the fund will be used for emergency housing, restoration of damaged buildings, living expenses, and relief goods for the residents.

The donation this time was sourced from Sangsang Fund, which has been created by the voluntary participation of KT&G employees. Sangsang Fund is KT&G’s unique social matching fund, where the amounts contributed from the employees’ salaries every month are matched by the company. 

Shim Yeong-ah, the director of KT&G’s Social Contribution Office, said, “We wish for the speedy recovery of the affected areas and the prompt return of residents to a regular, daily life.” “We will do our best to help in various ways through continued interest in the areas affected by the forest fire,” she added.

Meanwhile, Korea Ginseng Corp., a subsidiary of KT&G, will provide CheongKwanJang red ginseng products worth 100 million won to the local residents affected by the forest fire.

KT&G donated 500 million won to those affected by the forest fire in the east coast, including Uljin, Gyeongbuk, and Samcheok, Gangwon last year. In April 2019, the company also donated 500 million won to Goseong, Sokcho, Donghae, and other areas in Gangwon. The East Coast, including Uljin, Gyeongbuk, and Samcheok, Gangwon last year, and 500 million won in April 2019 to forest fires in Goseong, Sokcho, and Donghae, Gangwon. For the past 10 years, the company donated 7.6 billion won in total to support disaster recovery in the Republic of Korea and other countries, including 300 million won for the earthquake in Turkey this year.

(Photo description) KT&G logo