By Chung Ah-young
Miss Korea 2010 Chong So-ra has decided to donate her prize money awarded to her from the Miss Korea Pageant to the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).
The 19-year-old is giving the 20 million won to the non-profit organization to promote the research and development of the vaccines for the betterment of the world.
“As the top winner, I express an intention to serve society. The donation is part of my promise. I told my parents of my decision, and they supported the idea,” she said in a statement.
Based in Korea, the IVI was first established in 2003 in an effort to develop and introduce new and underutilized vaccines against water-borne contagious diseases such as malaria and typhoid for people in developing countries, especially children.
Chong, who wants to be a diplomat, speaks four languages ― English, Chinese and Japanese along with Korean, her mother tongue ― and attends the University of California, Riverside in the United States.
Chong will go on to compete for Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth and Miss World along with other pageant winners.