Korea Inc. lines up to donate to flood victims

Firefighters rescue people in Gurye County, South Jeolla, on Saturday as the area was flooded by heavy rains. [NEWS1]

Conglomerates are scrambling to make donations to help victims of the devastating downpours that have hit Korea in recent days.

Internet giant Kakao said Tuesday it will donate some 2 billion won ($1.69 million) to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to help people who were affected by the recent heavy rainfall.

Kakao also allows users to make their own donations through its platform.

Rival Naver also said it will donate 1.5 billion won to the Community Chest of Korea.

“Aside from the donations, we will actively support the victims using our platforms and technology,” said a spokesperson from Naver.

GS Group said Tuesday the company has also donated 1 billion won to the Community Chest of Korea.

“We hope the donation can support those who are suffering from the heavy rains,” a spokesperson for GS Group said. “We will continue to support the victims who are having a tough time recovering from disasters.”

Aside from the donations, GS Group’s smaller affiliates have also been joining relief efforts.

Oil refiner GS Caltex last month delivered 100 million won worth of relief packages to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. The packages included sleeping bags, masks, blindfolds and partitions that victims can use at shelters.

Hanwha Group and Korea Electric Power Corporation also donated 1 billion won each to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.

Hyundai Department Store said Tuesday it will donate 500 million won to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association while Shinsegae and CJ Groups also plan to donate the same amount to the association.

“We hope our donations can help people who are in a pit of despair due to the deadly rains,” said a spokesperson from Hyundai Department Store.

Honda Korea donated 100 million won to the Korea Red Cross while Toyota Motor Korea donated the same amount to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.

CJ Group’s food business affiliate CJ CheilJedang delivered a range of food items to people in the worst-affected areas while Hite Jinro provided bottles of water and samgyetang, a traditional chicken soup with ginseng.

BY KWAK JAE-MIN, CHEA SARAH [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]