Big 4 groups join flood recovery efforts with $7.9 mn donation

Samsung Electronics service officials are repairing flooded home appliances at Samsung Electronics’ special service center in Seoul. This photo was taken on Aug. 15., 2022. [Photo by Han Joo-hyung]

Samsung, SK, Hyundai and LG, the four major business groups in South Korea, have rallied to support the residents and regions affected by the prolonged heavy rains across the country.

Together, these four business groups have contributed a total of 10 billion won ($7.9 million) in relief funds.

On Thursday, industry sources revealed that Samsung Group donated 3 billion won in relief funds to the Korea Disaster Relief Association. Eight affiliate companies of Samsung Group, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, Samsung SDI, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung SDS, Samsung Life Insurance, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, and Samsung C&T, participated in this contribution.

SK Group also extended its support by donating 2 billion won to the same relief organization to aid in flood recovery and assist displaced individuals. In addition, SK hynix has been actively helping severely affected regions such as Nonsan and Gongju in South Chungcheong Province, Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, and Yecheon in North Gyeongsang Province. The company has been supplying materials such as mattresses, blankets, shields, and hygiene products to help those in need.

Hyundai Motor Group showed solidarity with a generous donation of 3 billion won to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. Furthermore, the group deployed three laundry aid vehicles capable of processing 1,000 kilograms of laundry daily to assist in handling contaminated clothing. Hyundai Glovis, an affiliate company of Hyundai Motor Group, is also playing its part by providing free transportation of emergency relief supplies to affected areas.

LG Group contributed 2 billion won in relief funds to the Korea Disaster Relief Association, supporting the rapid recovery of flood-hit areas and providing aid to displaced individuals. LG Electronics established service centers in severely affected regions in the Chungcheong area, offering free repair services for flooded home appliances.

In addition to these four major groups, other conglomerates are also stepping up with generous contributions to support the swift restoration of daily life for residents in the disaster-stricken regions. POSCO Group, Lotte Group, HD Hyundai, CJ Group, LS Group, Doosan Group, and Hyundai Department Store Group are among those that have donated relief funds.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of Thursday morning, 542 houses have been flooded, and 125 houses have been damaged. The heavy rains have inundated more than half of the agricultural land covering nearly 33,000 hectares, an area larger than Seoul. The death toll from the heavy rains has reached 46, with four people reported missing.