Renault Samsung Motors held a “safe school zone” campaign on Thursday as part of a social responsibility drive by CEO Francois Provost.

It was the first public event in Korea by Provost, who took the helm of the automaker last month.

The CEO participated in the campaign to encourage drivers to lower their vehicle speed below 30 kilometers per hour around an elementary school in Chang-dong, Seoul.

Renault Samsung is widely praised for not only its contribution to the economy but its role in improving education, the environment and traffic safety.

The company’s social contribution projects aimed at children come in two main forms. Since 2005, the company has been collaborating with the non-profit organization Safe Kids Korea to educate young children about road safety.

Its campaign “safe road, safe kids” targets elementary school children in the first and second grades.

Since October, the company has been conducting the “eco Action” campaign to encourage motorists to adopt more environmentally friendly driving habits, and to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacturing process.

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)