10 Billion Won Support for Children's Future Amid Climate Crisis... UNICEF Korea Committee and KakaoBank Sign MOU

November Charity Marathon 'Save Race, Run for Every Child'... Encouraging Participation in Overcoming Climate Crisis

The Korean Committee for UNICEF (Chairman: Jung Gapyoung) has signed a business agreement with KakaoBank (CEO: Yoon Hoyoung) to support future generations exposed to the global climate crisis.

Jomi Jin, Secretary General of the UNICEF Korea Committee (right), and Ho Young Yoon, CEO of KakaoBank, are signing a social contribution agreement to support future generations exposed to the global climate crisis.
[Image source=UNICEF Korea Committee]

This agreement was established to support children worldwide who are frequently affected by natural disasters due to the climate crisis. Under the agreement, KakaoBank has donated a total fund of 1 billion KRW.

The fund will be fully used for UNICEF's climate crisis response and mitigation programs in the East Asia-Pacific region, including providing solar energy infrastructure and carbon emission reduction projects in Cambodia, climate-linked water and sanitation programs in schools in Laos, and supporting solar energy research projects in Malaysia and Thailand.

According to the UNICEF Climate Crisis Report (2023), the East Asia-Pacific region has seen a dramatic increase in climate-related natural disasters over the past 50 years, with the probability of floods rising 11 times, landslides 5 times, typhoons 4 times, and droughts 2 times.

In addition to providing the fund, KakaoBank plans to host the marathon "Save Race, Run for every child" in November to overcome the climate crisis, donating all participation fees and continuously encouraging interest and participation in the climate crisis while making ongoing efforts for children.

Yoon Hoyoung, CEO of KakaoBank, who attended the signing ceremony, said, "KakaoBank is doing its utmost to implement ESG management, including creating social value through digital transformation and inclusive finance," and added, "We will continue to make various efforts so that KakaoBank's ESG management principles and activities can shine not only domestically but also internationally."

Jo Mijin, Secretary-General of the Korean Committee for UNICEF, stated, "Now is a critical time when the actions and efforts of all of us are desperately needed for children who will bear the full brunt of the climate crisis," and added, "KakaoBank's support will be a valuable cornerstone in building a healthy future for children worldwide. We sincerely thank KakaoBank for greatly contributing to the expansion of the sharing ecosystem to overcome the climate crisis."

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is the only UN agency explicitly mentioned in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as having a role in promoting children's rights, and it carries out projects for children worldwide in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, protection, and emergency relief.

The Korean Committee for UNICEF represents UNICEF in Korea, raising funds for children worldwide and promoting children's rights in Korea through initiatives such as the UNICEF Child-Friendly Society project.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Korean Committee for UNICEF is the only national committee that has transitioned from a developing country receiving aid to an advanced country providing support.