Bezos, Smithsonian Receive 230 Billion Won Donation from Space Traveler... Highest Ever Amount

Used for Improvement of U.S. Air and Space Museum and Construction of 'Bezos Learning Center'

▲Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder [Image Source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, who is set to embark on a space trip next week, has pledged to donate $200 million (approximately 230 billion KRW) to the Smithsonian Institution, which operates the National Air and Space Museum in the United States. This is the largest donation since the Smithsonian Institution was established in 1846.

According to major foreign media on the 14th (local time), Bezos announced in a statement that he would donate $200 million.

Of the donation, $70 million (approximately 80.5 billion KRW) will be used to improve the Air and Space Museum facilities, and the remaining $130 million (approximately 149.5 billion KRW) will be used to build a large-scale science education facility.

The educational facility, named the "Bezos Learning Center," will be located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and will operate various programs to promote education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics for students.

Bezos said, "The Smithsonian plays an important role in nurturing the imagination of people who create the future and dream. My love for science, invention, and space has helped me, and I hope this donation will help others as well."

On the 20th, the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Bezos will take a demonstration space tourism flight aboard the "New Shepard" rocket of Blue Origin, the space exploration company he founded.

The Smithsonian Institution said about Bezos's donation, "It will help create a world-class learning center."

The Smithsonian Institution was established with funds from the legacy of James Smithson, a British chemist and mineralogist.

Supported by the U.S. federal government and private organizations, the various museums, art galleries, research institutes, and libraries operated by the Institution around the National Mall in Washington, DC, are considered the largest educational and cultural facilities in the world.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.