Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Lotte Group steps up social initiatives for regional communities
Participants in Lotte's Value Creators Universities engage in a social activity at a factory of Lotte Chilsung Beverage in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, in this February photo. Courtesy of Lotte Group
By Lee Min-hyung
Lotte Group is launching more corporate social responsibility initiatives to support marginalized groups and protect the environment.
The company operates child care centers across the nation. Since 2017, Lotte has established 87 child care facilities for young children to enjoy diverse cultural experiences and receive digital education.
This year, the company is set to open a set of such facilities in major metropolitan areas in Daegu, Gwangju and Daejeon. The new centers will focus on offering digital classes ahead of a planned mandatory coding education in elementary and middle schools from 2025.
Lotte has also opened a total of 28 eco-friendly playgrounds between 2017 and 2023. In 2024, the company will establish two more indoor playgrounds in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, and the southeastern city of Ulsan.
The company is also expanding its environmental protection activities to fulfill its environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) management principles. Lotte Group has launched the Value Creators in Universities program by teaming up with social organizations to address various social issues.
In February, Lotte Chilsung Beverage conducted upcycling education for its staff, who created women's products as part of the campaign and donated them to vulnerable communities.
Volunteers for the program also took part in a number of other programs, such as kiosk education for older adults and picture book making for children from multicultural families.
Lotte Department Store joined hands with environmental organizations to clean beach areas in the southern port city of Busan during the summer. Officials from both sides picked up garbage for three days from Aug. 9.
Lotte Group is also sparing no efforts in supporting soldiers. The company donated 50 million won ($38,100) to members of the Army in May.
In April, Lotte Group established its 70th book cafe for an Army battalion in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. The facility features various zones, including a reading area and a relaxation zone where soldiers can comfortably unwind, according to Lotte.
The company opened its first book cafe for the Army in 2016 and has since established a total of 70 such facilities across Army camps. Additionally, 11 book cafes have been opened for the Air Force, and two are available for the Navy.