On the 19th, KT&G (President Kyung-man Bang) conducted a tobacco leaf harvest volunteer activity to assist tobacco farms struggling with labor shortages.

The volunteer event involved around 40 employees from KT&G's Daejeon headquarters, Gimcheon factory, and Chungcheongbuk-do office. The volunteers visited a tobacco farm in Naebuk-myeon, Boeun County, and helped harvest tobacco leaves on approximately 10,000㎡ (3,025 pyeong) of farmland.

Farmers in Korea are facing labor shortages due to the ongoing decline in rural populations and aging demographics. The situation is particularly critical during the tobacco harvest season in July and August, which is labor-intensive and largely unmechanized.

Consequently, KT&G has been visiting tobacco farms annually since 2007 to volunteer, continuing this tradition for 18 years. After assisting with transplanting tobacco seedlings in the spring, the employees also contribute to the tobacco leaf harvest, fostering year-round mutual support with the farmers.

Additionally, KT&G has been consistently carrying out welfare improvement projects for domestic tobacco farmers. In June, the company provided 420 million won to support tobacco farmers with health check-up costs, children's education fees, and devices to reduce fuel costs for crop drying. From 2013 to the present, the total support has amounted to 4.27 billion won, benefiting 15,212 farmers.

Jung-Ho Kim, head of KT&G's SCM Division, stated, "The company annually conducts employee volunteer activities to support stable farming operations for tobacco farmers facing labor shortages," and emphasized, "We will continue our support for mutual prosperity with farmers." 

(Photo Description1) KT&G (President Bang Kyung-man) conducted a tobacco leaf harvest volunteer activity on the 19th to assist tobacco farms struggling with labor shortages in Naebuk-myeon, Boeun County, Chungcheongbuk-do. The photo shows KT&G employees transporting harvested tobacco leaves.

(Photo Description2) KT&G (President Bang Kyung-man) conducted a tobacco leaf harvest volunteer activity on the 19th to assist tobacco farms struggling with labor shortages in Naebuk-myeon, Boeun County, Chungcheongbuk-do. The photo captures KT&G employees taking a group commemorative photo at the tobacco farm volunteer event.