Doosan execs donate W3.5 bil. to create jobs

Doosan Group Chairman Park Yong-maan

By Park Si-soo

Doosan Group Chairman Park Yong-maan and executives donated a combined 3.5 billion won ($3.07 million) to a government-initiated fund to help create jobs for young adults.

“Creating jobs for young people is the most important issue that should be settled by any means,” said Park, who serves as chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), in a press release, Thursday. “I hope our donation will contribute to boosting the ability and talent of young people who are the backbone and future of society.”

Park’s donation came one day after GS Group Chairman Huh Chang-soo and his subordinates donated 5 billion won to the fund for the same purpose. Huh also serves as chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, one of the biggest business lobby groups, along with KCCI.

Last month, Park donated 10 billion won to set up a foundation designed to revitalize the Dongdaemun area where the group’s headquarters is located.

He has said if his company wins a state license to run a duty free store at a Dongdaemun-based shopping center owned by Doosan, it will fill at least 46 percent of positions at the store with young adults. Whether Doosan will win the license will be decided by the Korea Customs Service next week.