BGF Retail Provides Emergency Relief Supplies to Drought-Stricken Gangneung

Emergency Relief Supplies Dispatched from Gangneung Distribution Center
Over 3,000 Bottles of Water Delivered to Vulnerable Groups and Residents

BGF Retail, the operator of CU, announced on September 3 that it has provided emergency relief supplies to the Gangneung region, which has recently been suffering from severe drought damage.

Gangneung, where a national disaster has recently been declared, is currently implementing emergency measures such as water rationing and the closure of public facilities, as the Obong Reservoir’s water level has dropped to 14%. The government’s response includes locking 75% of water meters, suspending the operation of public restrooms, and mobilizing military and fire department vehicles to supply water.

In response to this urgent situation, BGF Retail immediately activated “BGF Bridge,” its national disaster emergency relief initiative established in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Disaster Relief Association, and delivered relief supplies from the BGF Logistics Gangneung Distribution Center.

The relief supplies delivered this time consist of 504 boxes (3,024 bottles) of 2-liter bottled water, which will be provided to vulnerable groups and residents affected by the drought. BGF Retail is also continuously monitoring the situation and considering additional support as needed.

In 2015, BGF Retail became the first in the industry to sign a “business agreement on disaster prevention and relief” with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Disaster Relief Association. Leveraging its network of over 30 logistics centers and more than 18,000 CU stores nationwide, the company has been supporting national disaster prevention and emergency relief activities.

BGF Retail provided support for wildfire damage in Gangneung, Hapcheon, and Hongseong, as well as flood damage in Gyeongsang, Chungcheong, and Jeolla in 2023. Last year, the company carried out BGF Bridge emergency relief activities seven times in Hwaseong, Andong, Yeongdong, Okcheon, Wanju, Daejeon, and other locations. This year, BGF Retail delivered relief supplies consisting of food and beverages to Uiseong, Sancheong, Yeongdeok, Cheongsong, and Yeongyang, which were affected by large-scale wildfires, and provided emergency support to the Chungnam region, which suffered from heavy rain damage in July.

Choi Mingun, head of the ESG team at BGF Retail, stated, “As the drought situation in Gangneung worsens, we are maintaining a 24-hour hotline with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other organizations to ensure we are fully prepared for any emergency and can provide continuous relief activities.” He added, “BGF Retail will fulfill its social responsibility by protecting public safety and overcoming crises, based on our corporate philosophy of being ‘a good friend to our society.’”