LG Uplus donates 5 million won to Korean War veterans through employee giving program

LG Uplus has donated 5 million won raised through its employee giving program to Korean War veterans.

The company said Tuesday it delivered the funds — collected through its in-house program "A Thousand Won of Love" — to Korean War veterans in recognition of Patriots and Veterans Month. The donation is intended to support veterans struggling with poverty due to age-related illness and disability.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans' South Gyeongnam Branch selected the recipients. The funds will be distributed through the South Gyeongnam Community Chest of Korea — 1 million won each to five households, totaling 5 million won.

"A Thousand Won of Love" is LG Uplus's employee donation program, launched in 2019. Employees choose to contribute at least 1,000 won per month, deducted directly from their salaries. Cumulative donations have now exceeded 315 million won.

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans, the number of surviving Korean War veterans has fallen by roughly 10,000 each year since 2020, when 77,141 were registered. As of last month, 19,645 remain alive. Most survivors are in their 90s and contend with both disability and age-related illness, leaving them with a poverty rate higher than that of other groups recognized for national merit.

LG Uplus said all five recipients have hearing impairments. Some also struggle with daily communication due to dementia. Several are believed to have sustained their hearing loss during combat in the war.

The company also said one of the veterans shared his wartime experience. He was drafted in 1952 and served with the Army's 9th Division in the Battle of White Horse Hill. Despite memory loss from dementia, he recalled the fighting with vivid clarity — describing close-quarters combat just tens of meters from enemy lines and the sacrifices of fellow soldiers, LG Uplus said.

Kang Woo-shin, who attended the donation ceremony as a representative of LG Uplus employees, said it was "deeply meaningful to be able to offer a small token of gratitude to those who devoted themselves to the country" during Patriots and Veterans Month. "I hope this spirit of giving continues and provides even a little comfort to the lives of our veterans," he added.

Kim Ji-hyeon, head of the South Gyeongnam Veterans Affairs Branch, said today's Republic of Korea was built on the sacrifice and dedication of those who risked their lives on the battlefield. "Honoring those who served the nation is a responsibility our society must uphold together, and we will work to ensure that noble spirit is passed on to future generations," she said.

LG Uplus said it plans to continue expanding support for vulnerable communities through employee-driven social contribution activities, including "A Thousand Won of Love."