Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam: 'Thank you for being a pillar of our community'
The labor union and management of Gangneung Asan Hospital have agreed to purchase 200 million won ($149,000) worth of Gangneung Pay, a local gift voucher, to help revitalize the regional economy. Gangneung city officials and hospital representatives held a signing ceremony Monday to formalize the commitment.
Under the agreement, the hospital will distribute 100,000 won worth of Gangneung Pay to each of its 2,000 employees, for a combined total of 200 million won. The initiative is expected to improve employee welfare while also boosting sales for local small businesses and stimulating spending within the community.
Cases in which a major employer's labor-management agreement directly drives regional economic recovery are rare both in South Korea and abroad. The pledge is seen as a new model for labor-management culture and corporate social contribution.
"I am deeply grateful to the labor union and management of Gangneung Asan Hospital for taking the lead in purchasing Gangneung Pay in bulk and putting that commitment into practice," Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam said. "Gangneung city will continue to strengthen cooperation with public institutions, businesses and organizations — including through incentive support — so that Gangneung Pay becomes a solid pillar of the local economy."
The ceremony was attended by Mayor Kim, Gangneung Asan Hospital Director Yu Chang-sik, union chairwoman Lee Eun-gyeong and other hospital officials and civil servants.
"Gangneung Asan Hospital was able to establish itself as a leading medical institution in the region because of the unwavering trust and support of the local community," Yu said, noting the hospital's 30th anniversary this year. "As a hospital that has grown alongside the community, we intend to repay that support by continuing to safeguard the health of local residents and fulfilling our social responsibilities."
Lee said the union had embedded in this year's wage negotiations not only a desire to improve members' livelihoods and morale, but also a commitment to contributing to the local economy. "By distributing 200 million won in Gangneung Pay — 100,000 won per employee — to all staff, we wanted to create a virtuous cycle in which improved employee welfare translates into vitality for local small businesses and neighborhood commerce," she said. She added that the union would consistently pursue values of coexistence with the community alongside efforts to improve members' quality of life.
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