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KakaoBank renews UNICEF partnership to support youth facing climate crisis
KakaoBank CEO Yun Ho-young, center, poses with Cho Mi-jin, left, secretary-general of the Korean Committee for UNICEF, and Sawako Kanetaka, head of UNICEF’s Asia Pacific Hub, after signing a global partnership agreement to support future generations vulnerable to climate change at the Korean Committee for UNICEF office in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of KakaoBank
By Jun Ji-hye
KakaoBank has joined hands with UNICEF by signing a global partnership agreement to support future generations vulnerable to climate change, the company said Tuesday.
The latest partnership marks a tripartite collaboration among UNICEF headquarters, the Korean Committee for UNICEF and KakaoBank.
Under the agreement, a total of $2 million will be donated over a two-year period to support young people in countries including Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. Korea's largest internet-only bank will contribute $1 million annually to implement global social responsibility programs.
The signing ceremony took place on Monday at the Korean Committee for UNICEF office in Seoul. KakaoBank CEO Yun Ho-young, also known as Daniel Yun, attended the event alongside Sawako Kanetaka, head of UNICEF’s Asia Pacific Hub and Cho Mi-jin, secretary-general of the Korean Committee for UNICEF.
The funds will be used to support a range of climate resilience initiatives across the region. In Indonesia, schools will be upgraded with improved water and sanitation infrastructure.
Cambodia will see the development of heat-resilient educational facilities, while in Thailand, young people will participate in climate education and a climate action conference designed to enhance youth engagement in public policy.
In 2024, KakaoBank also partnered with UNICEF to donate $1 million to five countries, including Myanmar and Laos.
This previous funding helped install solar power systems in Cambodian schools and health centers lacking access to electricity. In Laos, eco-friendly energy was supplied to operate school water and sanitation systems. Climate education programs were also provided for youth in Malaysia and Thailand.
This November, the bank will team up with the Korean Committee for UNICEF to co-host "Save Race 2025," an eco-friendly charity marathon. Participation fees from the event will go toward supporting children affected by the climate crisis.
"KakaoBank is the only Korean company to maintain a long-term, climate-focused partnership with UNICEF," Yun said. "We are committed to expanding our social contribution efforts wherever help is needed, regardless of national borders or environmental conditions."