GS Group launches cultural arts foundation

GS Group Chairman Huh Tae-soo, third from right, and Kim Hyun-ah, fourth from right, marketing and public relations head of the Korean National Ballet, pose during an inaugural meeting of the GS Cultural Foundation at GS Tower in Seoul, July 3. From left are Kim & Chang law firm attorney Lee Joon-myung, former DBS Bank Korea CEO Eugene H J Bang, Kim, Huh, former GS Energy Vice Chairman Rha Wan-bae and GS Holdings Chairman & CEO Hong Soon-ky. Courtesy of GS Group

GS Group announced, Thursday, the launch of the GS Cultural Foundation, which is dedicated to hosting artistic performances and broadening the reach of the arts to a wider audience.

Prior to the announcement, the group held an inaugural general meeting on July 3, where the foundation’s board members were finalized. Chairman Huh Tae-soo has been appointed as its chief director. The board also includes Korean National Ballet Artistic Director Kang Sue-jin, former GS Energy Vice Chairman Rha Wan-bae, former CEO of DBS Bank Korea Eugene H J Bang, and Kim & Chang law firm attorney Lee Joon-myung.

The foundation was officially established on Aug. 21 following these appointments.

The headquarters of the foundation, located at the former LG Arts Center in downtown Seoul, is currently being renovated to accommodate approximately 1,200 audience members for a variety of performances.

The foundation aims to plan, support, and host a range of cultural and artistic performances, including ballet, music, stage plays, musicals, and media productions, at its theater inside GS Tower. Additionally, it seeks to sustain and promote these artistic endeavors throughout the country.

GS Cultural Foundation's theater, scheduled to open next year in celebration of GS Group’s 20th anniversary, will feature programs curated by the foundation for three months each year. For the rest of the year, the space will be available for booking for cultural and art performances.

“The foundation’s theater, the former LG Arts Center, has been beloved by many people. Following its renovation, the theater will attract even more public attention,” Huh said.

“By integrating digital exchange (DX) into the foundation’s operations and event planning, we aim to introduce more advanced and superior cultural art content.”

Kang said, “The theater will become an ideal space for modern performances, allowing us to showcase cultural events on a world-class level.”