SEOUL, March 26 (Yonhap) -- 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.
Hyundai Motor Group announced it has donated 2 billion won (US$1.26 million) to aid recovery in areas hit hard by large-scale wildfires, including Sancheong of South Gyeongsang Province, Uiseong of North Gyeongsang Province, and Ulju in Ulsan. The group has also dispatched six emergency support vehicles, which include laundry and disinfection trucks, along with two mobile office buses to provide rest areas for displaced residents and volunteer workers.
SK Group has also pledged 2 billion won for recovery efforts, with its affiliates playing a significant role in providing essential services. Notably, its telecommunications affiliate, SK Telecom Co., has set up Wi-Fi and TV facilities at temporary shelters and provided portable chargers for those affected.
In addition, LG Group has contributed 2 billion won to the nationwide recovery efforts. LG Electronics Inc. has provided air purifiers and other home appliances to temporary shelters, while LG H&H Co. has offered personal care products such as toothbrushes, toothpastes, and shampoos. LG Uplus Corp. has also stepped in, providing telecommunications services to displaced individuals.
Retail giant Lotte Group has donated 1 billion won, along with daily necessities and processed food products, while another retailer, Shinsegae Group, has contributed 500 million won, together with daily necessities, sanitary goods, and clothing. Additionally, SPC Group and Oriental Brewery have delivered bottled water to the affected areas.
Samsung Group announced it will donate 3 billion won (approximately $2.2 million) to support recovery efforts and assist residents affected by the recent wildfires in the Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do regions. This donation will be made through the Korean Red Cross and involves the participation of eight Samsung affiliates, including Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display.
The funds will be utilized for recovery operations in government-designated special disaster zones, including Sancheong and Hadong in South Gyeongsang Province, Uiseong in North Gyeongsang Province, and Ulju in Ulsan. In addition to the donation, Samsung will provide 1,000 disaster relief kits containing daily necessities and 600 residential tents for those displaced and currently residing in temporary shelters.
The recent wildfires, which began on March 22, have claimed at least 24 lives as of March 26, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters. Another 26 people have been reported injured, and around 27,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes.
Fatalities have been reported across various regions, with seven deaths in Yeongdeok and six in Yeongyang, both in North Gyeongsang. Three people each died in Cheongsong and Andong. Tragically, a firefighting helicopter crashed in Uiseong while attempting to extinguish flames, resulting in the death of the pilot.
The government has designated the hardest-hit southeastern regions as disaster zones to focus resources and accelerate recovery efforts. On March 22, four members of a firefighting crew lost their lives while battling blazes in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang.
Among the injured, 12 suffered serious injuries while 14 sustained minor wounds. Many of the deceased were senior citizens who were unable to escape the flames in time. Authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding these tragic accidents.
In Andong, an 80-year-old man was found dead in a home completely destroyed by fire, and a 70-year-old woman was also discovered deceased in the same area after a family member attempted to rescue her. Police suspect smoke inhalation as the cause of death. Meanwhile, in Cheongsong, a woman in her 60s was found dead with burn injuries near her car, believed to have died while trying to evacuate.
The swift response from South Korea's major corporations highlights a collective effort to assist those in need during this devastating time. As the nation rallies to support recovery efforts, the impact of the wildfires continues to resonate deeply within the affected communities.
As the recovery process unfolds, the contributions from these business groups are expected to play a crucial role in helping residents rebuild their lives and restore normalcy in the wake of this natural disaster.
