'Afirika Maxe Gabalgieop' Choi Youngcheol Chairman Donates 30 Million Won for North Korean Defectors

by Mun Jewon

Published 24 Jan.2024 14:39(KST)

Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho (right) and Choi Young-cheol, chairman of Sanagroup, a Korean entrepreneur operating in Kenya, held a donation ceremony for an alternative educational institution for North Korean defector youth on the morning of the 24th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Ministry of Unification)

Choi Young-cheol, chairman of Sana Group, Africa's largest wig company, donated 30 million won to help North Korean defector youth and others.

According to the Ministry of Unification on the 24th, Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho and Chairman Choi held a donation ceremony for the educational development of North Korean defector youth at the Seoul Government Complex on the same day.

Chairman Choi donated 30 million won to alternative education institutions attended by North Korean defector youth and children born in third countries. The donation will be distributed as 5 million won each to six alternative education institutions: Nambuk Sarang School, Daum School, Banseok School, Wooridle School, Hankkum School, and Haesol Vocational Academy.

In addition, Chairman Choi decided to hire 10 North Korean defectors at Dong-A Hwaiba, a domestic wig manufacturing company he operates. Five will be hired initially, and five will be hired on an ongoing basis.

He told reporters on the day, "I hope I can be of help and give courage and hope to North Korean defectors who are struggling to settle in a new environment."

Minister Kim said, "We appreciate Sana Group's social contribution activities for North Korean defectors," and emphasized, "The settlement of North Korean defectors in Korean society requires much interest and support from the leaders of our society."

Chairman Choi established Sana Group, a wig manufacturing company, in Kenya in 1989. Known by the brand name 'Angels,' the company currently exports wigs not only to the African market including Kenya but also to 12 countries including Europe.

It employs about 10,000 people in 10 countries such as Tanzania and Ethiopia, and is known as the eighth largest company in Kenya based on tax payments.

Sana Group was the first to establish a Korean community in Kenya and is leading local economic revitalization and industrial city development by creating local employment.