Hwang Daeheon and Choi Minjeong to Receive BBQ Lifetime Chicken Pension Worth 600 Million Won
by Seo Miteum
Published 21 Apr.2022 12:27(KST)
[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Medalists of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, including Hwang Daeheon and Choi Minjeong, will receive a 'BBQ Chicken Pension.'
The Korea Skating Union held a 'Chicken Pension' award ceremony on the 21st at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, for Beijing Olympic medalists.
This event followed the promise made by Yoon Hong-geun, chairman of the chicken franchise company Genesis BBQ Group, who attended the Beijing Winter Olympics in February as the head of the athlete delegation and pledged lifetime free chicken to gold medal-winning athletes.
The short track men's and women's teams who won medals at the Beijing Winter Olympics, speed skaters Lee Seung-hoon (IHQ), Kim Min-seok (Seongnam City Hall), Jung Jaewon (Uijeongbu City Hall), Cha Min-kyu, and others attended the event and received certificates for the chicken pension.
Originally, the pension was to be given only to gold medalists. However, after the Korean short track team failed to win a medal in the men's 1000m semifinals due to a questionable judgment, the scope of beneficiaries was expanded to include silver and bronze medalists as a form of encouragement.
A group official stated, "We decided to provide the chicken pension not only to Hwang Daeheon and Choi Minjeong but also to other athletes who won silver and bronze medals. However, the pension payment period will vary depending on the medal." Gold medalists such as Hwang Daeheon (22) and Choi Minjeong (23) will receive membership points worth 30,000 KRW daily through the company's app in the form of a pension until they turn 60 years old. The total equivalent amount is about 600 million KRW.
Silver medalists will also receive the chicken pension. Nine silver medalists, including Cha Min-kyu, Seo Huimin, Lee Yubin, Kim Arang, Lee Junseo, Kwak Yoon-gi, Park Janghyuk, Kim Dongwook, and Jung Jaewon, will receive the chicken pension twice a week for 20 years. Additionally, Park Jiyoon of the women's short track team, who participated as a member of the women's 3000m relay but did not compete in the Olympic semifinals and finals and thus did not receive a medal, is also included as a recipient. The amount is about 80 million KRW.
Bronze medalists Kim Min-seok and Lee Seung-hoon will receive the chicken pension twice a week for 10 years. In the five winter Olympic sports other than skating, one national representative athlete recommended by each association, totaling five athletes, will receive an encouragement award of the chicken pension twice a week for one year.
Hwang Daeheon said, "I am honored to receive such a unique and meaningful pension. As someone who loves chicken so much that people say chickens can't grow because of me (from eating so much), this is a great encouragement," and added, "I thank the chairman for keeping his promise until the end."
Chairman Yoon Hong-geun said, "The pension award ceremony was delayed because the Winter Olympics were followed by the Winter Sports Festival and World Championships, and we wanted to avoid affecting training and gather many athletes. If it can give hope and courage to people struggling due to COVID-19, we will support generously even if it costs a lot. We will strengthen ESG management befitting a global dining company."
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