Hanwha chief promises to give prizes to shooting squad

By Kim Jong-chan

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, an ardent supporter of shooting, plans to give prizes to the South Korean shooting squad for its better-than-expected performance at the London Olympics, a company official said Monday.

Kim praised the shooting squad, which has won four medals - three gold and one silver medals.

He will give prizes to coaches and athletes of the shooting team for their contributions to the enhancement of the country’s prestige, as soon as they return home, the official said.

On Sunday night, Kim phoned Jin Jong-oh after he won his second straight Olympic gold in the men's 50-meter pistol event. The medal was the 10th gold medal South Korea has won in the London Olympics. Teammate Choi Young-rae grabbed the silver.

Kim Jang-mi, a teenager, also won the gold medal in the women's 25-meter pistol event.

The Hanwha chairman said he was proud of victories the shooters made despite the fact that shooting enjoys low public popularity at home.

He congratulated Byeon Gyeong-su, coach of the shooting squad, for the “valuable fruits” his squad yielded in the London Olympics.

The Hanwha Group created a shooting team in 2000 in an effort to foster outstanding shooters, another Hanwha official said.

Kim Jeong, advisor to the conglomerate, has served as chairman of the Korea Shooting Federation since June 2006.

Hanwha has so far contributed about 8 billion won to the federation for the promotion of shooting, the official said. It has also sponsored a national shooting competition since 2008.

jckim@koreatimes.co.kr