McDonald's Korea serves as socially responsible partner

McDonald’s Korea Managing Director Joh Ju-yeon, left, poses with National Fire Agency chief Cho Jong-mook at the agency’s headquarters in Sejong in this Feb. 6 file photo. The fast food chain delivered Olympic tickets to injured firefighters and bereaved family members of firefighters who died while on duty. / Courtesy of McDonald’s Korea

By Park Jae-hyuk

McDonald’s opened its first Korean store in 1988, the year of the Seoul Summer Olympics.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary in Korea and the second Olympics held here, the U.S. fast food chain’s local subsidiary said it is doing its best for the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

One of its efforts is donating Olympic tickets to needy people.

McDonald’s Korea said it wants no Koreans to be left out of the international event held in their country.

Last month, the firm gave 900 Olympic tickets to multiracial families in Gangwon Province, the Olympic host region.

“I am happy to provide marginalized neighbors in the province with chances to watch the international sporting event in person with the tickets McDonald’s offered,” Gangwon Governor Choi Moon-soon said during a ticket delivery ceremony at Gangwon Provincial Office.

The company also delivered 75 Olympic tickets this month to injured firefighters and bereaved family members of firefighters who died while on duty, honoring those who devote themselves to securing the safety of citizens.

The delivery ceremony held at the National Fire Agency’s headquarters in Sejong was attended by McDonald’s Korea Managing Director Joh Ju-yeon and Cho Jong-mook, head of the agency.

In addition to the donation of the tickets, McDonald’s Korea decided to continue donating Happy Meals to the bereaved families. Since 2013, the company has carried out the donation of the full meals as its representative corporate social contribution for those who work hard for their local communities and those who need the help of others.

McDonald’s Korea also gave out the Happy Meals to Olympic volunteers and soldiers protecting the Olympic venues.

“The PyeongChang Winter Games are especially meaningful to us, because they are held on our 30th anniversary in Korea,” Joh said. “To appreciate our customers, who have loved McDonald’s over the past 30 years, we will actively support the Winter Games for its success.”

She added the two special Olympic restaurants in Gangneung will do their best to offer world-class food and services.

As an official sponsor of the Olympics, McDonald’s Korea said it will carry out various events for Koreans to spread joy during the Winter Games.