KT&G Supports COVID-19 Medical Staff and Low-Income Groups with 1.5 Billion KRW Aid

Jung Seoyoon, Head of Management Planning at the National Disaster Relief Association (from left), Hong Subin, Committee Member of the KT&G Sangsang Fund Management Committee, Lee Eunghan, Chairman, and Kim Junghui, Secretary General of the National Disaster Relief Association, are posing for a commemorative photo at the KT&G Sangsang Fund donation ceremony on the 3rd. (Photo by KT&G)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] KT&G announced on the 4th that it will deliver a total of 1.5 billion KRW worth of support funds and goods together with its affiliates KGC Ginseng Corporation and the KT&G Scholarship Foundation to medical staff and socially vulnerable groups struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and heatwave.

First, KT&G used the Imagine Fund, created jointly by employees and the company, to donate 300 million KRW to the National Disaster Relief Association. This amount will be used to purchase "Cool Kits" provided to medical staff suffering from the spread of COVID-19 and the heatwave. The "Cool Kits" consist of hand fans, cool scarves, body wet wipes, and other items.

Next, the KT&G Scholarship Foundation plans to donate 200 million KRW in scholarships to the Korea Student Aid Foundation to support children from low-income families who have closed their businesses due to economic difficulties caused by COVID-19. To ensure this is not a one-time support, once the COVID-19 situation improves, they plan to invite the beneficiary students to scholarship camps and maintain continuous interest and interaction. The KT&G Welfare Foundation will also provide special meals such as Samgyetang to low-income elderly people exhausted by the ongoing heatwave.

In addition, KGC Ginseng Corporation plans to deliver red ginseng products worth 1 billion KRW to COVID-19 medical staff.

Since February last year, KT&G has been operating an "Emergency Response Plan for COVID-19" that covers material support, customized support for vulnerable groups, and psychological support, providing a total of 6 billion KRW to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. They have contributed to overcoming the pandemic crisis by providing emergency relief for purchasing groceries and quarantine supplies for self-quarantined individuals and medical staff, participating in the government-led Good Landlord Movement, and supporting global COVID-19 damage relief efforts.

Shim Young-ah, Head of KT&G Social Contribution Office, said, "As COVID-19 has prolonged for nearly two years and record-breaking heatwaves have been added, the difficulties of medical staff and low-income groups are increasing," and added, "KT&G, together with the Scholarship Foundation and affiliates, will continue to provide customized support necessary for vulnerable groups."