Starbucks funds acquisition of independence fighter's calligraphy

Kim Ji-young, second from left, ESG team leader at Starbucks Korea, poses with an official from the National Trust for Cultural Heritage, third from left, at Deoksu Palace in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Starbucks Korea

Starbucks Korea has provided funding to the country’s state-run heritage trust to help acquire a calligraphy piece by Kim Koo, a renowned Korean independence activist from the Japanese colonial era, the company said Wednesday.

The donation to the National Trust for Cultural Heritage was made to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, which falls on Friday.

The funding supported the agency under the Korea Heritage Service in purchasing the calligraphy, which was written by Kim Koo, who led a patriotic movement for Korean independence from Japanese occupation while in Shanghai during World War II.

Kim Ji-young, environmental, social and governance team leader at Starbucks Korea, and a representative from the agency attended a handover ceremony for the acquired calligraphy at Deoksu Palace in Seoul on Monday.

The calligraphy is four Chinese characters that read “bung jeong man ri.” It means an imaginary bird, bung, flying over 4,000 kilometers. The imagery, according to the company, symbolizes Kim Koo’s hope for Korea’s independence from Japan — an aspiration that once seemed distant and difficult to achieve.

The fund for acquiring the calligraphy came from sales at Starbucks’ Hwangudan Branch in Seoul’s Jung District. Converted into the company’s ninth “Community Store” in July last year, the location has been setting aside 300 won ($0.22) from every item sold to support the preservation of the country’s national treasures and heritage.

Since 2015, Starbucks Korea has been donating funds to help acquire calligraphy pieces from the Japanese colonial period and transfer them to the country's heritage authorities. The company has so far funded the purchase of 12 calligraphy pieces, half of which were written by Kim Koo.

"It is meaningful to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day with funds raised together with our customers," Kim Ji-young said.

"Starbucks will continue various activities to honor the noble spirit of the independence movement and to remember and support the future envisioned by the independence activists.”