Seoul: South 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.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hyundai Motor Group has donated 2 billion won (US$1.26 million) to aid recovery in areas hit by large-scale wildfires, including Sancheong of South Gyeongsang Province, Uiseong of North Gyeongsang Province, and Ulju in Ulsan. The group has 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.
SK Group has also contributed 2 billion won for 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 matched this donation with a contribution of 2 billion won to nationwide recovery efforts. LG Electronics Inc. has provided air purifiers and other home appliances to temporary shelters, while LG H and H Co. has offered personal care products, such as toothbrushes, toothpastes, and shampoos. LG Uplus Corp. has provided telecommunications services to displaced people.
Retail giant Lotte Group has donated 1 billion won, along with daily necessities and processed food products. Another retailer, Shinsegae Group, 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.
A Samsung spokesperson stated that Samsung Group will make a donation today or tomorrow after its affiliates hold board of directors meetings or take necessary steps to make decisions.
The wildfires in the country's southeastern regions have been spreading rapidly for days amid strong winds, claiming at least 18 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 has designated the hardest-hit southeastern regions as disaster zones to focus resources and accelerate recovery efforts.