KB News Desk
Samsung pledges 3 billion won, SK 2 billion won and Hyundai Motor and LG 1 billion won each, while affiliates roll out emergency aid in affected communities.
South Korea’s four major conglomerates — Samsung, SK, Hyundai and LG — are stepping up to provide relief support in the country’s southern regions following heavy rain damage.
Together, the four groups have pledged 7 billion won ($5.1 billion) to affected areas, while their affiliates are providing emergency supplies and services to residents.
The southern cities were hit by heavy rain from Aug. 15 to Thursday, resulting in at least 187 landslides in Geoje and Tongyeong alone, according to the Korea Forest Service on Friday.
Samsung is making the largest contribution, donating 3 billion won through nine affiliates, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung C&T, Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Heavy Industries. The group will also provide 1,000 emergency relief kits and 300 temporary shelters.
The donation will support local communities affected by heavy rain in areas including Geoje and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province and Andong and Uiseong in North Gyeongsang Province.
Samsung Card will offer financial relief to customers by deferring payments for up to six months and allowing interest-free installment payments.
SK also announced its contribution Friday, saying that it will donate 2 billion won through the Community Chest of Korea for flood recovery and relief efforts in the southern regions.
SK Hynix supplied 630 volunteer kits to flood-hit areas, while SK Telecom has provided phone charging stations, portable batteries and relief supplies at temporary shelters in Geoje. SK Broadband has installed Wifi and IPTV services at temporary shelters.
Hyundai Motor Group made a 1 billion won donation to the Hope Bridge at the Korea Disaster Relief Association on Sunday to support the recovery.
The automaker is deploying three laundry-relief vehicles to help residents wash contaminated clothing. It also offers discounts of up to 50 percent on repair costs for damaged vehicles.
LG has also donated 1 billion won to the Korea Disaster Relief Association, the company said Friday.
The group plans to provide emergency kits containing blankets, clothing and daily necessities through the Korean Red Cross. LG has worked with the organization since 2022 to prepare and distribute 2,000 emergency relief kits annually for victims of natural disasters.
LG Electronics is operating a mobile service for victims, with its service teams visiting affected households to clean and repair water-damaged appliances. LG Uplus is providing wifi service and phone-charging support at temporary shelters to help the affected residents access telecommunications services.
