The nation’s top-ranking builder, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, is making use of its construction know-how to fulfill its social responsibilities.

One of its main projects is the restoration of a historic waterway in Seoul’s Changdeokgung Palace, officials said.

Last year, Hyundai E&C invested 100 million won ($93,370) in rebuilding a 350-meter waterway within the palace. Another 100 million has been invested since June this year to install pumps and pipes along the stream to recycle the water, officials said.

Stressing the importance of cultural preservation, the company signed an agreement with the Cultural Heritage Administration back in 2005 to protect Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung palaces, along with their historic contents.

It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Environment in 2011 to build volunteer centers on Jirisan Mountain and in other major national parks, to educate volunteers and to promote environmental protection campaigns, officials said.

The company also organized a student volunteer team to fix houses in flood-stricken areas in the southern Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces.

Executives and employees, too, are participating in a fund-raising campaign by donating small change from their salaries, which will be used to support multicultural families, low-income families and poorly-fed children.

Last year, the company raised some 200 million won through the change-donating program and delivered it to the Community Chest of Korea, officials said.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)