KT&G (CEO Baek Bok-in) conducted leaf tobacco harvest volunteering activities on the 4th of the month in Unsan-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungnam Province, in order to provide assistance to tobacco farmers who are facing labor shortages.

The cultivation of leaf tobacco takes place in the summer months of July and August. The work is mostly performed by hand, resulting in a high labor intensity due to the difficulty of mechanization. Tobacco farming communities struggle to secure labor due to continuous rural depopulation and aging issues.

In accordance with this, KT&G has visited leaf tobacco farms every year since 2007, continuing its volunteer activities for the 17th consecutive year. Following the spring season's activities of transplanting tobacco seedlings, the company collaborates with farmers to help harvest leaf tobacco, fostering mutual partnerships between farming communities and the company.

Additionally, KT&G consistently provides support programs aimed at improving the welfare of domestic leaf tobacco farmers. In June, the company provided over 520 million KRW in financial aid to cover health check-up expenses, children's education expenses, and support for fuel-saving windbreak heaters(배풍열 연료 저감장치?) For a total of 13,050 cultivators, over 3.85 billion KRW has been allocated to support them.

Kim Jung-ho, the director of the headquarters of KT&G's Raw Materials Division, stated, "KT&G remains committed to organizing yearly volunteering activities involving our executives and employees. These efforts aim to uphold consistent and stable cultivation practices for leaf tobacco farmers confronting labor shortages." He added, "The support we offer to farmers to foster mutual growth continues to persist."

(Photo description1) On the 4th of the month, KT&G contributed to leaf tobacco harvest volunteering in Unsan-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungnam Province. It is an employee of the company who is seen harvesting tobacco leaves.

(Photo description2) On the 4th of the month, KT&G contributed to leaf tobacco harvest volunteering in Unsan-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungnam Province. KT&G executives and employees pose for a group photograph during leaf tobacco harvest volunteering.