Hapcheon-gun and Tongyeong-si Strengthen Friendship Through Mutual Exchange of Hometown Love Donation System

Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 5th that it participated in mutual donations with its sister city Tongyeong-si to successfully establish the Hometown Love Donation Program and promote the development of the sister cities.

Following mutual donations among agricultural and livestock cooperatives in Haman, Geoje, and Geochang, a new culture of cross-donations is taking root in Hadong and Goseong counties as well.

On this day, 15 employees from the Planning and Audit Office of Hapcheon-gun, including Kim Bae-seong, the Planning and Audit Officer, voluntarily donated 1.5 million KRW to Tongyeong-si, and 15 employees from Tongyeong-si donated 1.5 million KRW to Hapcheon-gun, supporting regional development.

Group photo of Hapcheon-gun and Tongyeong-si mutual cross-donation under the Hometown Love Donation Program.

This donation was made possible when the Planning and Audit Office of Hapcheon-gun and the Tax Department of Tongyeong-si sought ways to promote mutual regional development and united their intentions to pray for the development of each city and strengthen their bond through the Hometown Love Donation Program.

The two institutions signed a sister city agreement on December 22, 1998, and have been achieving mutual development through exchange activities such as cooperation to revitalize the local economy based on mutual trust. In February, Kim Yoon-cheol, the mayor of Hapcheon-gun, delivered a hometown love donation to Tongyeong-si, the sister city, to ensure the successful establishment and activation of participation in the early stages of the Hometown Love Donation Program.

Officer Kim expressed, “I deeply appreciate the employees who participated in the mutual cross-donations for regional mutual development,” and added, “I hope that continuous exchanges and close cooperative relationships between sister cities will be maintained for the successful establishment of the Hometown Love Donation Program.”

The Hometown Love Donation Program allows individuals to donate up to 5 million KRW annually to local governments other than their place of residence, receiving tax deductions and up to 30% in return gifts (local specialties and Hapcheon Love Gift Certificates). Donations up to 100,000 KRW are fully tax-deductible, and amounts exceeding 100,000 KRW receive a 16.5% deduction. Donations can be made through the ‘Hometown Love e-Um’ website and at all Nonghyup branches nationwide.