Shinhan Bank Opens 'Cafe Sweet Sol' Myeongdong Branch to Support Hearing-Impaired Independence

Expansion of Social Contribution Project for Job Creation and Independence Support for the Hearing Impaired
Collaboration with Shinhan Financial Group Character 'Shinhan Friends'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Shinhan Bank announced on the 5th that it has opened 'Cafe Sweet SOL,' a job cafe for the hearing impaired, in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Cafe Sweet is a job cafe operated by Shinhan Bank to provide specialized vocational training and job creation for the hearing impaired, currently operating in a total of five locations, including the newly opened Myeongdong branch.

At the opening ceremony, Shinhan Bank CEO Jin Ok-dong, Shinhan Card President Lim Young-jin, Kim Myung-hee, Secretary General of Cheong-eum Welfare Center, and Lee Jung-ja, Director of the social cooperative Sweet, attended. They held a cafe unveiling ceremony and a donation event where a portion of the profits from ethical consumption was donated to the Cheong-eum Welfare Center.

Cafe Sweet is originally a virtuous cycle social contribution project by Shinhan Bank that reinvests profits generated through ethical consumption by Shinhan employees to support barista training and employment for the hearing impaired. Recently, the bank expanded stores to Seoul National University Entrance and Jeongneung, allowing general customers as well as employees to freely use the cafes.

In particular, Cafe Sweet SOL, opened in Myeongdong, is a collaboration store with Shinhan Financial Group’s character 'Shinhan Friends.' It offers various attractions such as Character Art Toys by emerging artists, including disabled artists, allowing customers to enjoy coffee while naturally experiencing the brand.

A Shinhan Bank official said, "Through support projects to realize Shinhan Bank’s social values, we hope hearing-impaired youth can develop their capabilities as baristas and gain a foundation for independence. Shinhan Bank will continue to work with ‘Cafe Sweet’ to ensure that all customers visiting the cafe can enjoy coffee in a comfortable atmosphere while improving awareness of the hearing impaired."

Meanwhile, Cafe Sweet is also committed to environmentally friendly cafe operations by conducting campaigns for using eco-friendly products such as corn starch cups and straws, as well as reusable cups, in addition to creating jobs for the hearing impaired and raising disability awareness. Shinhan Bank supports the stable operation of Cafe Sweet by providing free space and monthly coffee bean supplies.