Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
GS supports marginalized people
GS Caltex employees deliver briquettes to low-income households in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. / Courtesy of GS Group
By Park Jae-hyuk
GS Group said Wednesday its subsidiaries are running various volunteer and social contribution programs for underprivileged people.
In 2013, GS Caltex began to run a psychotherapy program for children. Collaborating with arts therapists in Korea, the program seeks long-term treatment for children, as well as training psychotherapists.
Beginning in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, where its factory is located, the oil refiner is introducing the program nationwide.
The company has been offering arts therapy programs to middle schools in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province since last year, supported by the Ministry of Education.
It is also carrying out various social contribution programs for Yeosu local communities, which include free meal services for seniors, scholarship programs and native English speaker tutoring for students living on islands.
GS Engineering & Construction has built study rooms for low-income students since May 2011 and has opened 170 rooms as of last year.
Collaborating with ChildFund Korea, the company supports 40 students every year and offers individual mentoring programs for them.
The construction firm also provides kimjang kimchi and heating fuel for low income households at the beginning and end of each year.
GS Retail has organized volunteers to clean orphanages and nursing homes, serve free meals for the homeless, study with children without parents, deliver briquettes and prepare kimjang kimchi for low-income households.
The retailer has also donated books and fresh foods including vegetables, fruit and milk to marginalized people for several years.
GS Home Shopping spends three percent of its operating profit for social contribution every year. Since 2005, the firm supports low-income children so they can enjoy cultural activities.
It also sells products made by social enterprises, such as organizations for the disabled, eco-friendly companies and fair trade organizations.
GS EPS manages a fund raised by its employees and donates the money to marginalized people in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, where its power plant is located.
The energy provider also provides facilities for schools near its plant and continues to conduct volunteer work in the community.
GS Sports runs a football class named Future of FC Seoul in order to support football prodigies of multicultural families.
The company sponsoring the professional football team, FC Seoul, also runs a campaign named F. See Seoul Together which pays for ophthalmic operations for children.
“To become a respectable enterprise, a company should contribute to the society and create jobs, as well as contributing to the national economy, based on fair and transparent management,” GS Group Chairman Huh Chang-Soo said.
“The whole society should be concerned and participate in this work, and firms should take the initiative in order to make a warmer and happier society.”
(Advertorial)