Charity to assist children suffering from rare diseases


The Chung Mong-koo Foundation, funded by Hyundai Motor Group chairman, plans to boost its support of children from low-income families or with rare diseases as part of its social contribution efforts, a press release said on Tuesday. Chairman Chung created the charity organization last year to help poor students.

The foundation said some 500 children are expected to benefit from the program under which each will receive financial support of up to 20 million won ($17,000). It will include not only medical treatment but also social adjustment training.

The welfare arm of Korea’s largest automaker said about 7,100 families will participate in its social-healing programs over the next three years.

The foundation said it will work with three Korean hospitals ― Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital ― to expedite such programs for kids. Also, the foundation said it will work with the Korean Society of Cardiology to treat children with heart diseases.

The Chung Mong-koo Foundation also has other charitable activities such as scholarships for children whose parents have been in traffic accidents and for those with potential in science, as well as culture and arts education. Chung donated some 500 billion won via the foundation to charity last year.

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