Korea Zinc Donates 50 Million Won to Purme Foundation to Support Independence of Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Park Tae-gyu, Co-CEO of the Purme Foundation (second from the left), and Jung Moo-kyung, President of Korea Zinc (third from the left), are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Korea Zinc

Korea Zinc donated 50 million KRW to the Purme Foundation, which supports the rehabilitation and independence of people with disabilities, to help young adults with developmental disabilities become self-reliant.

On the 23rd, Korea Zinc announced that it delivered the donation of 50 million KRW on the 21st at the Purme Center located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The donation ceremony was attended by Jung Moo-kyung, President of Korea Zinc’s Sustainable Management Division, and Park Tae-gyu, Co-CEO of the Purme Foundation, among others.

The donated funds will be used to support the independence of young adults with disabilities working at Purme Social Farm located in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. This includes operating expenses for educational programs to enhance their capabilities and purchasing cherry tomato seedlings, substrates, and nutrient solutions needed for agricultural activities. Purme Social Farm is the first smart farm-based workplace for people with developmental disabilities established by the Purme Foundation in Korea. Currently, 55 young adults with developmental disabilities are employed as full-time staff.

Additionally, Korea Zinc plans to realize shared values through employee volunteer activities in addition to the donation to the Purme Foundation and aims to expand social contribution activities related to people with disabilities in various fields.

Park Tae-gyu, Co-CEO of the Purme Foundation, said, "Good jobs are essential for the independence of young adults with developmental disabilities," and added, "We appreciate the Korea Zinc employees who practiced sharing to help those young adults and their families suffering from the lack of jobs."

Jung Moo-kyung, President of Korea Zinc, stated, "Korea Zinc has been striving for a healthy life for humanity and a sustainable future through diverse social contribution activities," and added, "We want to help young adults with disabilities in our society enjoy a sustainable ordinary life in a stable workplace like Purme Social Farm."

The Purme Foundation was established in 2005. In 2016, it built the Purme Foundation Nexus Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital to support treatment and rehabilitation for children with disabilities, and since 2020, it has been running job programs for young adults with developmental disabilities. Korea Zinc carries out various social contribution activities based on its founding philosophy of 'contributing to national development.' At the end of 2022, it joined the 'Hope Sharing Campaign 30 Billion KRW Club' after its cumulative donations through the Community Chest of Korea exceeded 30 billion KRW. Last year, its Ulsan Onsan Smelter received the highest grade in the 'Community Contribution Recognition System' hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare.