Busan Port Authority Receives Minister of Health and Welfare Award at the 14th Korea Sharing National Awards

Recognized for Practicing Sharing as a Public Institution Growing with the Community
Hope Pantry Serves 20,000 People Annually, 3.8 Billion Won Returned to the Local Community in 2024

Busan Port Authority (BPA, President Song Sanggeun) announced on November 6 that it received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award at the "14th Korea Sharing National Awards Public Contest."

BPA Executive Director of ESG Management Eom Kiyong receiving an award. Provided by BPA

The "Korea Sharing National Awards" is presented by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to individuals and organizations that have contributed to spreading the culture of sharing. This year’s award ceremony was held on November 6 at the KBS Art Hall in Yeouido, Seoul.

This award recognizes the achievements of BPA's ongoing social contribution activities for mutual growth with the local community since its establishment. In particular, the authority was highly praised for its efforts to address welfare blind spots in the community and contribute to the spread of a sharing culture.

BPA is currently promoting initiatives such as the "BPA Hope Pantry" and "Port Area Outreach Social Contribution Program" in cooperation with administrative welfare centers, welfare institutions, and local governments, which are at the forefront of community welfare.

The "BPA Hope Pantry" is a sharing platform that provides food and daily necessities to vulnerable groups near Busan Port. This selection was also made based on the recommendation of the Busan Jung-gu Volunteer Center, which operates the 14th Hope Pantry branch.

Approximately 20,000 local residents use the pantry each year, and a notable feature is the ongoing participation in sharing activities by not only BPA but also logistics companies at Busan Port, terminal operators, major regional confectionery companies, and small business owners.

The "Outreach Social Contribution Program" is a social contribution initiative in which BPA collaborates with local governments adjacent to the port to identify neighbors in welfare blind spots and provide tailored support. Terminal operators, having learned about this program through BPA, have also taken part by supporting neighboring districts.

Employees voluntarily participate in creating sharing funds and contribute their talents to social contribution activities. At the institutional level, BPA is strengthening its social responsibility as a public organization by collaborating with local public agencies, port operators, and local governments to address community issues such as bridging care gaps and expanding resource circulation.

In addition, BPA continues to provide support in the field of educational welfare, such as assistance with heating and cooling costs for energy-vulnerable groups, scholarships for children of port workers, and educational equipment for alternative schools for North Korean defectors. In 2024 alone, BPA returned a total of 3.8 billion won to the local community, including funds.

Song Sanggeun, President of BPA, stated, "This award is a recognition of the genuine commitment of our employees to grow together with the local community centered around Busan Port," adding, "We will continue to practice the values of sharing and mutual growth as a trusted public institution for the people."