Shinhan Financial Group Signs Official Sponsorship Agreement with Korea Alpine Federation

Shin Yong-byeong of Shinhan Financial Group (second from the left), Son Jung-ho, President of the Korea Alpine Federation, and the South Korean national climbing team players are posing for a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Shinhan Financial Group announced on the 9th that it signed a sponsorship agreement with the Korea Alpine Federation at its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, attended by Chairman Jo Yong-byeong, Chairman Son Jung-ho of the Korea Alpine Federation, and members of the Republic of Korea Climbing National Team.

The Korea Alpine Federation, established in 1962 to promote mountain sports in Korea and foster a proper mountain culture, is currently nurturing the national teams for sport climbing and ice climbing, which have recently gained attention as new lifestyle sports.

Since 2011, the Korea Alpine Federation has successfully hosted the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) Ice Climbing World Cup for 10 years, producing many top-ranking athletes. It is also working to have ice climbing adopted as an official event at the 2024 Gangwon Youth Winter Olympics.

Sport climbing was first included as an official event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. At this event, the Republic of Korea sport climbing national team showcased its competitiveness on the world stage by winning a gold medal in the men's division and silver and bronze medals in the women's division.

Through this agreement, Shinhan Financial Group will serve as the main sponsor of the Republic of Korea sport climbing and ice climbing national teams, supporting them over the next four years to achieve excellent results in the Olympics and domestic and international competitions.

At the signing ceremony, Chairman Jo said, "I am pleased to sponsor the national teams of sport climbing and ice climbing, which have recently gained popularity as new lifestyle sports," adding, "We will spare no effort to support the athletes so they can focus on training in better environments."

Chairman Son expressed gratitude, saying, "Despite the difficult times due to COVID-19, we appreciate the decision to sponsor the sport climbing and ice climbing disciplines," and added, "We will do our best to ensure that the sport climbing and ice climbing national teams perform well at the Olympics and other international competitions and that the sports' base expands."