As the wildfire in Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, continues to burn for the sixth consecutive day, Korea's top four conglomerates -- Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK and LG -- have donated funds and offered services to help stabilize the lives of residents in the affected areas.
Samsung Group said Wednesday that it has donated 3 billion won ($2 million) to the Korean Red Cross to assist those impacted by the disaster.
The donation comes from eight affiliated companies, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, Samsung SDI, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung SDS, Samsung Life Insurance, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance and Samsung C&T.
Hyundai Motor Group also contributed 2 billion won to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to support recovery and aid for residents. In addition to the financial donation, Hyundai has deployed six relief vehicles, including laundry and sanitation trucks, to help clean contaminated laundry and provide disinfection services in the affected areas.
SK Group said it has provided relief funds and essential supplies worth 2 billion won to the Community Chest of Korea and the Korea Disaster Relief Association. The contributions aim to support the restoration of areas affected by wildfires and provide emergency assistance to displaced residents.
SK hynix, the chipmaking unit of SK Group, has been actively delivering aid through its High Safety initiative, which allocates 600 million won annually for disaster relief.
Since Sunday, the company has been supplying emergency shelters, including 800 sets of relief tents and floor mats, as well as 1,500 disaster relief kits to affected residents in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, and Yeongdong, North Chungcheong Province.
Similarly, LG Group has contributed 2 billion won to the Community Chest of Korea and is mobilizing its affiliates to assist wildfire victims.
LG Electronics has taken an active role by providing home appliances such as air purifiers for use in temporary shelters. Additionally, the company is operating mobile service centers that offer free repairs for damaged appliances in fire-affected areas.
Steel giant Posco Group has also stepped up to support wildfire recovery efforts, with Posco Holdings leading a joint donation of 2 billion won to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.
The contribution comes from its affiliates, including Posco, Posco International, Posco E&C, Posco Future M and Posco DX.
Other major businesses have extended their support: Lotte Group (1 billion won), KT Group (1 billion won), HD Hyundai (1 billion won), Dunamu (1 billion won), CJ Group (500 million won), Shinsegae Group (500 million won), LS Group (500 million won) and Hyundai Department Store (400 million won).
yeeun@heraldcorp.com
