Biz groups join relief efforts in wildfire-hit areas
A car burnt down by wildfires is abandoned in a village in Youngyang, North Gyeongsang Province, March 26. Yonhap
Korea's major business groups have stepped up to support relief and recovery efforts for residents affected by recent wildfires in the country's southeastern region, they said Wednesday.
Samsung Group, the largest business group in Korea by asset, has announced a 3 billion-won ($2 million) donation, with contributions from its eight affiliates, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display and Samsung Life Insurance.
The donation will be given to the Korean Red Cross to support recovery efforts in the areas hit by large-scale wildfires, including Sancheong in South Gyeongsang Province, Uiseong in North Gyeongsang Province and Ulju in Ulsan.
Additionally, Samsung will provide 1,000 rescue packages for those who have lost their homes and 600 tents for displaced residents.
Hyundai Motor Group has donated 2 billion won ($1.26 million) to aid the recovery efforts in wildfire-hit areas.
The group has also dispatched six emergency support vehicles, including laundry and disinfection trucks, to offer sanitary assistance, along with two mobile office buses to provide rest areas for displaced residents and volunteer workers.
LG Uplus's makeshift telecommunications service booth is set up at a temporary shelter in Sancheong County, Gyeongsang Province, in this photo provided by LG Group, March 26. Yonhap
SK Group has also donated 2 billion won for the recovery efforts, with its affiliates providing substantial services.
Its telecommunications affiliates, including SK Telecom Co., have set up Wi-Fi and TV facilities at temporary shelters and have provided portable chargers for those affected.
LG Group has also contributed 2 billion won to the nationwide recovery efforts.
LG Electronics has provided air purifiers and other home appliances to temporary shelters, while LG H&H has offered personal care products, such as toothbrushes, toothpastes and shampoos. LG Uplus has provided telecommunications services to displaced people.
Retail giant Lotte Group has donated 1 billion won, along with daily necessities and processed food products.
A vehicle is destroyed by wildfires abandoned on the side of a road in Youngyang, North Gyeongsang Province, March 26. Yonhap
Another retailer, Shinsegae Group, has provided 500 million won, together with daily necessities, sanitary goods and clothing.
SPC Group and Oriental Brewery have delivered bottled water to the affected areas.
The wildfires in the country's southeastern regions have been spreading rapidly for days amid strong winds, claiming at least 24 lives.
Separately, a firefighting helicopter with one pilot crashed Wednesday while battling a wildfire in the southeastern county of Uiseong, killing the pilot.
The government designated the hardest-hit southeastern regions as disaster zones to focus resources and accelerate recovery efforts. (Yonhap)