Community Chest of Korea and Atomy Deliver Consolation Funds to Families of Wildfire Suppression Victims

From the left, Atomy Chairman Han Gil Park and Community Chest Chairman Byungjun Kim are presenting plaques of appreciation to the bereaved families. Photo by Community Chest

The donation from Atomy (Chairman Han Gil Park), which contributed 10 billion won to Community Chest of Korea in March as the largest single-company donation for disaster and calamity relief, has begun to be distributed in earnest to support victims of the wildfires in the Yeongnam region.

On July 9, Community Chest of Korea (Chairman Byungjun Kim) announced that it would provide a total of 4.7 billion won in consolation funds to public officials, wildfire suppression crew members, and helicopter pilots who suffered casualties during wildfire suppression efforts in the Yeongnam region. This support fund is part of the 10 billion won donated by Atomy. To help bereaved families establish a stable livelihood, 500 million won will be provided per deceased victim, 200 million won will be provided to those seriously injured for medical and rehabilitation support, and 20 million won will be provided to those with minor injuries for medical expenses.

The fund presentation ceremony was held at Gyeonghwa Hall in Changnyeong County, South Gyeongsang Province, where there were fatalities and serious injuries during wildfire suppression operations. The event was attended by bereaved families, injured victims, Atomy Chairman Han Gil Park, Community Chest Chairman Byungjun Kim, and members of the Atomy member self-help group, S.O.S Nanumhoe. The ceremony was conducted in a solemn atmosphere to convey condolences.

Plaques of appreciation were also presented to the bereaved families, expressing respect and condolences for the sacrifices made. Among the recipients was a public official in his 30s from the Changnyeong County Forest and Greenery Department, who tragically lost his life while participating in wildfire suppression operations.

The deceased entered the field with eight wildfire suppression crew members. Of these, three died and five were seriously injured, resulting in significant casualties. It was especially heartbreaking as the deceased had completed the exam and interview to transfer to the South Gyeongsang Provincial Government and was awaiting the final announcement when the tragedy occurred.

Atomy and Community Chest of Korea 2025 Yeongnam Region Wildfire Damage Consolation Fund Presentation Group Photo. Community Chest of Korea

The father of the deceased, who attended the ceremony, said, "Since that day, time has stopped for our family, but knowing that there are people who remember the sacrifice and reach out to us has given us the courage to stand up again. I believe today’s consolation will remain for a long time and be a great source of strength for our family."

Community Chest of Korea and Atomy explained that this support was prepared to ensure that society remembers and honors the noble spirit of those who dedicated themselves at the disaster site. They also emphasized the intention to complement areas that are difficult for public support to reach, through private sector participation.

Atomy Chairman Han Gil Park stated, "We honor the sacrifice of those who did not retreat even in the face of flames to protect the safety of the people, and I hope this support will bring some comfort to the families who have suffered. This support was prepared in sympathy with the wishes of Atomy members who came together out of concern for the wildfire-affected areas, and Atomy’s philosophy of sharing, in which companies responsibly participate in sharing the community’s pain, will continue in the future."

Community Chest Chairman Byungjun Kim stated, "Atomy’s donation goes beyond simple material support; it is a social tribute to those who dedicated themselves in the midst of disaster. The remaining donations to be distributed will also be used transparently for recovery and welfare projects in close consultation with the local community."

Of the 10 billion won donated by Atomy, in addition to the consolation funds, part was used for emergency support to three child care facilities in the Yeongnam region immediately after the wildfires. Support included daily necessities such as clothing, essentials, and bedding for affected children, as well as psychological recovery programs and medical expenses, helping them return to daily life. The remaining funds will be promptly used for future wildfire recovery and support for displaced residents.

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