Leading local companies in Busan are joining an international relief effort by donating funds to help Venezuela, which suffered massive damage from powerful earthquakes. Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo has been named honorary chairman of the Busan Community Chest of Korea to help spread a culture of giving in the region.
The Busan Metropolitan Government said it will hold a "Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund Delivery Ceremony" and an "Inauguration Ceremony for the Honorary Chairman of the Busan Community Chest of Korea" in the protocol room of City Hall on Wednesday.
On the day, Panasia, Sewoon Steel, and SB Sunbo will each donate 50 million won, for a total of 150 million won, to the Busan Community Chest of Korea to support earthquake recovery and aid displaced residents in Venezuela. The funds will be used for emergency relief and damage recovery on the ground through the Community Chest.
The donation comes after magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck Venezuela in succession in late June, causing large-scale casualties and property damage in northern regions including the capital, Caracas.
Participating in the donation are Lee Soo-tae, chairman of Panasia and current chairman of the Busan Community Chest of Korea, along with Shin Jung-taek, chairman of Sewoon Steel and a former chairman of the Community Chest, and Choi Geum-sik, chairman of SB Sunbo.
On the day, Mayor Jeon will take on the role of honorary chairman of the Busan Community Chest of Korea. The honorary chairman represents Busan citizens in supporting major fundraising projects, such as the Hope Sharing Campaign, and activities to spread a culture of giving.
"I hope the warm generosity of Busan's companies will become a source of hope for the people of Venezuela to rise again," Jeon said. "As honorary chairman, I will work to further spread a culture of sharing in which citizens, companies, and the local community come together, so that Busan's solidarity can extend into hope for the world."
