The Export-Import Bank of Korea said Tuesday that it held a ceremony honoring its first group of student volunteers from local universities for completing their seven-month services for multicultural families, North Korean defectors and the socially disadvantaged.

Korea Eximbank chairman and CEO Kim Yong-hwan congratulated the volunteers for their contributions to society as he welcomed them and handed out awards.

“We sincerely welcome everyone who has achieved more than the expected in social contributions to be part of the Eximbank family,” Kim said.

“Although the bank’s first part of the services by student volunteers is completed, we hope you will continue to spread love and hope throughout the society.”

Fourteen teams each consisting of 10 members planned and carried out voluntary services that included introducing Korean culture and history to North Korean defectors and multicultural families.

The top award went to a team that offered an economics education program and another team that introduced many career options to children of low-income families. The two winning teams will be given a chance to expand their social contributions in Cambodia in February next year, the bank said.

Korea Eximbank launched the student social contribution program in May this year.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)