Lotte Holdings Vice Chairman Hwang Gak-gyu Participates in Relay Campaign to Support Flower Farmers

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Lotte Holdings announced on the 9th that Hwang Gak-gyu, Vice Chairman of Lotte Holdings, participated in the 'Floriculture Farm Support Relay Campaign' to help flower farms affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The Floriculture Farm Support Relay Campaign was initiated to assist flower farms whose sales declined due to the cancellation of events such as graduation and entrance ceremonies caused by COVID-19. Vice Chairman Hwang joined the relay campaign upon the recommendation of Samsung Electronics President Ko Dong-jin.

On the day, Lotte delivered bouquets purchased from Namdaemun Flower Market along with gifts to the hygiene and quarantine partner company employees at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, Seoul.

Vice Chairman Hwang said, "I am honored to participate in the relay at a time when flower farms are facing difficulties due to the cancellation of various events caused by COVID-19," and added, "I am grateful to Samsung Electronics President Ko Dong-jin for recommending me."

He continued, "With the recent significant strengthening of hygiene and quarantine systems, I am pleased to have this opportunity to deliver bouquets and gifts expressing gratitude to the partner company employees who are working hard," and said, "I hope that the Republic of Korea regains vitality like the blooming spring flowers."

Vice Chairman Hwang Gak-gyu nominated Kwon Young-soo, Vice Chairman of LG Group, and Ahn Byung-duk, Vice Chairman of Kolon Group, as the next participants in the relay.

Meanwhile, Lotte is actively working to support domestic farms facing dual hardships of sharp export declines and consumption stagnation amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Lotte Mart plans to hold events to support domestic agricultural, fishery, and livestock farms in cooperation with local governments and related organizations from the end of March to early June. The scale is expected to reach about 1,500 tons and 7 billion KRW.

Last month, to support fishery households, a 'Flounder and Abalone Consumption Promotion Event' was held, and this month, to assist domestic farms struggling with shipment and export difficulties of fruits, vegetables, and seafood, a total of 600 tons of products were purchased for the 'Save Our Farms' campaign.

Additionally, to support apple farms suffering from typhoon damage during the harvest season and consumption stagnation, a tripartite collaboration was formed with Chungju City and Chungbuk Horticultural Cooperative, purchasing and selling about 300 tons of damaged apples.