Lee Jae-yong Attends 30th Anniversary Ceremony of Guide Dog Business... "Chairman Lee Geon-hee Would Have Been Very Pleased" (Comprehensive)

Chairman Lee Jae-yong Attends Event with Mrs. Hong Ra-hee
Bright Throughout the Event... "Thank You for Coming"

Samsung Fire & Marine Guide Dog School Established in 1993
Late Chairman Lee Kun-hee's Love for Dogs as Social Contribution
"Guide Dogs Reflect the Nation's Level of Disability Welfare"

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong attended the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School. Although he had refrained from appearing at official events until now, this time he attended with his mother, Mrs. Hong Ra-hee, and stayed until the end of the event. Mrs. Hong was reported to have said, "If Chairman Lee had seen the ceremony, he would have been very pleased."

The Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School was established in September 1993 by the late Samsung Electronics former Chairman Lee Kun-hee, who was a dog lover, to return corporate profits to society. Thanks to the combined efforts of Samsung, the government, the National Assembly, the visually impaired, and volunteers from various sectors, a total of 280 guide dogs have served as the eyes and feet of the visually impaired over the past 30 years.

From the fifth position on the left in the second row, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hong Ra-hee are taking a commemorative photo with attendees and guide dogs at the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School. / Photo by Kim Pyeonghwa

Chairman Lee Jae-yong Attends Ceremony with Mrs. Hong Ra-hee

On the 19th, Samsung held the 30th anniversary ceremony of its guide dog program at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. This event was organized to reflect on the significance of the guide dog program, which began in 1993 and has reached its 30th year, and to share its achievements.

Chairman Lee personally visited the event with former director Hong to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the social contribution project that the former chairman had taken special care of. This was his first time attending a guide dog event, and he stayed until the end, showing a bright demeanor. He was also reported to have expressed gratitude by saying, "Thank you for coming."

Mrs. Hong, who retired as director of the Leeum Museum of Art in 2017 and attended an event for the first time since then, also showed a bright appearance throughout the ceremony. Regarding the guide dog program, she said, "Chairman Lee was very interested in and devoted to this project during his lifetime," and added, "If he had seen today's 30th anniversary ceremony, he would have been very pleased."

On the 19th, guide dog 'Jini' is seen sitting at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Last year, Jini assisted President Yoon Seok-yeol during his visit to the guide dog school. / Photo by Kim Pyeonghwa

The event was attended by puppy walkers (volunteers who help socialize prospective guide dogs), visually impaired partners, families who adopted retired guide dogs, and others who have shared the lives of guide dogs. About 200 people were present, including Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare; Kim Ye-ji, a member of the People Power Party and a visually impaired partner; Bae Jin-kyo, a member of the Justice Party; and Hong Won-hak, President of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance.

William Sutton, President of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), expressed his gratitude by presenting a plaque, saying, "Samsung has trained guide dogs with sincere efforts for 30 years." Four visually impaired partners working with Samsung guide dogs performed an ensemble to celebrate. Kim, who played the piano, said, "I hope this ceremony will be an opportunity for more people to take an interest in guide dogs."

A guide dog adoption and retirement ceremony was also held. Eight puppies began their new lives as guide dogs after leaving their puppy walkers, and three retired guide dogs, who had served as guide dogs for 7 to 8 years, started their second lives as companion dogs. The event commemorated the farewells and meetings of these dogs and the people who have been or will be with them.

Yoon Chun-mi, the new owner of the retired guide dog 'Neuti,' said, "Looking at Neuti, I feel that he is not just my own child," explaining, "There was a puppy walking volunteer who cared for him with utmost devotion during his early years, trainers at the guide dog school who worked hard, and a visually impaired partner who accompanied him through his long life." She added, "I intend to cherish the time allowed to Neuti and me," and said, "I will live happily, remembering the hearts of many people who have been with Neuti."

On the 19th, prospective guide dogs about 2 months old are listening to the trainer's instructions at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. /
Photo by Kim Pyeonghwa

Legacy of Former Chairman Who Loved Companion Dogs... A Total of 280 Guide Dogs Produced

The Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School is a social contribution activity promoted by former Chairman Lee. It is also the only guide dog training institution in the world operated by a corporation. After declaring the 'New Management' in June 1993, which demanded intensive innovation, he started the guide dog program in September of the same year. His exceptional love for companion dogs led to this social contribution project, playing a role in spreading the then unfamiliar guide dog culture domestically.

Since the first guide dog 'Bada' in 1994, the school has placed 12 to 15 guide dogs annually. To date, a total of 280 guide dogs have been placed, with 76 currently active. Considering that raising one guide dog costs over 100 million KRW, the total investment so far may exceed 28 billion KRW. The guide dog school has also worked to improve social awareness related to disabilities and guide dogs by conducting visual impairment experience events for the general public.

Jini is demonstrating a test walk with the trainer. /

Many parties have contributed to this process. The government and the National Assembly revised laws to ensure that people with disabilities accompanied by guide dogs are not refused access to public transportation or public places. The number of puppy walking and retired guide dog volunteer families has exceeded 2,000 households. Volunteers helping manage the guide dog school kennels have reached about 300. As a result, the school now boasts a high level of guide dog training that attracts learners from countries such as Japan.

This year, the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School doubled the size of its kennels and renovated the interior for comfort. It is also increasing quality education for visually impaired partners. Park Tae-jin, head of the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School, said, "Chairman Lee's insight and beliefs, along with the love and dedication of everyone involved, made the Samsung guide dog program possible," adding, "We will do our best for this beautiful journey together."

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