The ‘Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation’ operated by Chong Kun Dang actively improves youth housing welfare through the free dormitory ‘Chong Kun Dang Gochon Haksa’ operation

-Participating in Solving Youth Housing Issues through Operation of the First Free Dormitory by a Private Scholarship Foundation, 'Jonggeundang Gochon Haksa'

Jongkundang Gochon Foundation (Chairman Kim Doo-hyun) received the Prime Minister's Commendation at the '2020 Housing Welfare Workers Festival' awards ceremony.

The Housing Welfare Workers Festival, hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, was organized to share the achievements and experiences of housing welfare projects. It brings together related organizations such as local governments, public enterprises, financial institutions, and housing welfare centers in one place. The event aims to foster a healthy housing welfare culture by awarding outstanding institutions and contributors and sharing best practices. This year’s awards ceremony was replaced by an online event to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Jongkundang Gochon Foundation was honored with the Prime Minister's Commendation as the only private scholarship foundation among the awardees, recognized for its contribution to resolving youth housing issues by providing free dormitory accommodations to university students from provinces.

Jongkundang Gochon Foundation is the first private scholarship foundation to establish and operate a free dormitory called ‘Jongkundang Gochon Dormitory.’ The first building was opened in 2011 in Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, followed by the second building in 2012 in Huigyeong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu. The third building was opened in 2014 in Junggok-dong, Gwangjin-gu, and the fourth in 2020 in Yeongdeungpo-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu. To date, the foundation has supported the housing of a total of 1,228 university students from provinces. The dormitory residents lead mentoring and educational volunteer activities for low-income youth in the areas where the dormitories are located, playing a key role in realizing educational welfare in the local community.

Kim Doo-hyun, Chairman of Jongkundang Gochon Foundation, said, “It is very meaningful to receive the Prime Minister's Commendation in the 10th year since opening the Jongkundang Gochon Dormitory and starting dormitory support.” He added, “We will actively lead the free dormitory project so that young people in our society can fully demonstrate their talents and passion without worrying about housing costs.”

Meanwhile, Jongkundang Gochon Foundation was established in 1973 with the personal funds of the late Chairman Lee Jong-geun, founder of Jongkundang, aiming to return corporate profits to society. The foundation operates various public interest projects including domestic and international scholarship programs, academic research, and educational welfare projects. In particular, it has received favorable reviews for supporting free dormitories and living scholarships based on Chairman Lee Jang-han’s proposal to provide practical help to university students from financially disadvantaged families.