Haenam-gun Scholarship Fund Raised to 50 Billion Won... 'Heated Enthusiasm Through a Countywide Movement'

Published 24 Mar.2022 18:12(KST)

256 Cases of Military and Civilian Participation Over One Year Continue

Haenam-gun Scholarship Fund Raised to 50 Billion Won... 'Heated Enthusiasm Through a Countywide Movement'

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] The scholarship fund for nurturing local talent in Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, has surpassed 50 billion won, igniting enthusiastic participation from residents for regional development.

On the 24th, the county announced that it is promoting the creation of a 50 billion won local scholarship fund to secure resources for improving the educational environment and to expand scholarship projects involving residents and the local community.

Since the project began in March last year, 256 donations totaling 850 million won have been collected in just over a year, thanks to the active participation of residents and hometown supporters.

This year, starting with a 5 million won donation from the couple Lee Seung-gwan and Choi Chun-ja, who farm rice in Masan-myeon, residents have continued to participate, including a 10 million won donation from Ko Haenam of Hwangsan-myeon and 5 million won from the father and son Min Nam-gi and Min Kyung-il of Sanim-myeon.

In addition, local companies have actively signed agreements to return part of their profits to the community. So far, 11 companies have participated in the fund creation, beginning with a business agreement with 4est Arboretum for scholarship fund donations, followed by Haenam Sweet Potato Bread Financier, Dabok Co., Ltd., Wonkwang Electric Co., Taejin Fisheries Corporation, Okcheon Industry, Haenam Jindo Livestock Cooperative, Daeheung Concrete Co., Ltd., Gangsan Story Agricultural Cooperative Corporation, Haenam County Forestry Cooperative, and Haenam Saemaeul Geumgo.

Haenam-gun public officials are also taking the lead in contributing to the scholarship fund.

Following the donation of 2 million won from Hwangsan-myeon employees’ reward money, various departments and eup/myeon staff donated about 1.49 million won accumulated through the resource circulation project in 2021 to the scholarship fund.

Moreover, there are numerous voluntary donation cases such as individual awards from exemplary public officials, various rewards earned by departments, 1% salary donations, unused welfare points donations, first anniversary donations by newly appointed public officials, and monthly automatic transfer donations.

Haenam County Governor Myung Hyun-gwan has also donated his entire salary during his tenure to the scholarship fund, fulfilling his promise to the residents to “receive only the love of the residents with empty hands.”

The creation of the Haenam-gun scholarship fund is spreading as a county-wide donation culture, evolving beyond resource procurement to strengthen the community spirit of raising the children of the region together.

The county plans to establish the Haenam-gun Education Foundation to respond to growing educational demands and to promote professional and systematic educational projects.

Currently, the first round of consultations with Jeollanam-do and investment/endowment institutions has been completed, and a feasibility study for the foundation’s establishment is underway. The county is carrying out various procedures such as gathering community opinions and reviewing investment/endowment institutions, aiming to establish the foundation by the end of this year.

Governor Myung Hyun-gwan said, “The creation of the 50 billion won scholarship fund lays the foundation for long-term educational development and future talent cultivation,” adding, “With the determination to make this the best place for education nationwide, we will prepare a century-long educational plan together with the local community.”