Woongjin volunteers and local people rejoice to see water coming from a newly dug well in Cambodia.

Until 1990, Korea had received aid from other countries as well as international relief organizations, to rise above the poverty caused by the Korean War. However, as the nation improved and became well off enough to be ranked 11th in the world’s economies, many voiced their opinion that Korea should pay back the kindness it received from the international society. In response, a growing number of companies are participating in social projects to help people in need, not only in Korea but also around the world:

• WoongJin Group♥♥♥♥, with the help of the Geological Society of Korea, is conducting a Well-Digging Project in Cambodia to alleviate conditions where water contamination has led to serious infectious diseases. So far, the company well-known for its water purifiers has dug 23 wells and is planning to dig 100 more by the end of this year.

• LG Electronics♥♥♥♥, with the help of Korean dental doctors, is providing free surgery for poor children with cleft lip and palate in Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and other countries. The Latin America branch of this home appliance company also operates a mobile medical team to reach out to people in remote jungle areas. The medical team never hesitates to cross bridge-broken rivers and climb steep, rugged mountain roads to reach the people who need help. “Central and Latin America is a place where the gap between the rich and the poor is big. My company must not think of local people only as customers; instead, we should reach out to them with sincerity so as to be accepted as a part of their community,” says Mr. Park, the medical team leader.

Korean Airlines employees plant trees to prevent desertification.	A forest being created from barren land in the outskirts of Ulaanbaator, Mongolia

• Korean Airlines ♥♥♥♥♥ has planted trees to create a forest on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia.

This is helping prevent desertification, a serious environmental problem. Each year, the airline company sends its newly employed personnel to Mongolia to plant trees in the forest. Moreover, the company transports rescue materials free of charge to any corner of the world where a disaster happens. When the tsunami hit in 2005, the company arranged special flights to transport relief items free of charge and also gave special air ticket discounts to those who wished to travel to the affected areas as a volunteer.

Apart from this, many Korean companies are making direct contributions overseas. A total of 244 firms spent over US$1,500,000,000 last year, according to a report from the Federation of Korean Industries.

 

Mongolian houses being built by SKT employees and student volunteers	Filipino mother and child receive medical services from Korea Electric Power team member
Cambodian children enjoy a bath at a newly dug well	The elderly enjoy an outing with Amore Pacific employees.

Employees Participate Directly

Samsung employees and mentally challenged children making natural soaps at Eunpyoung Angel House

In the past, Korean companies contributed to society primarily through donation of money or the products of the company. But starting a few years ago, employees from many Korean companies began participating in direct volunteer activities. For example, at Samsung Electronics ♥♥♥♥, Korea’s largest company, a department called ‘Samsung Love’ was created that deals with community relations and recommends its employees to do more volunteer work in the local communities. About 20,000 employees from 850 different volunteer groups at Samsung take part in various volunteer activities. Such an initiative from one of Korea’s leading companies has created a domino effect on other companies, and employees’ participation in volunteer activities has become a trend.

Samsung employees participating in HABITAT project	Aulacese children in their new day care center, built with the help of Samsung employees

This positive direction is seen in not only the private sector but government organizations as well. “At first, people often feel disgruntled as they have to sacrifice their weekends for these activities,” says Kim Sung-chul, who plans and manages volunteer work at Daewoo Securities. “But once they do it, eight or nine out of ten people say they are pleased to be there. Many people even take their families along with them the next time.”

This spirit of contribution as encouraged by business leadership is an inspiring example for all organizations, in Korea and throughout the world.

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