KaKao

- Kakao's social contribution platform 'Kakao Together' began a donation campaign on Feb 7, raising over KRW 2.7B with more than 1.04 million users participating in the shortest period of time ever.

- Kakao donates 1,000 won for each supportive comment made on the fundraising campaign - So far, around KRW 600M has been donated, and Kakao plans to donate up to KRW 1B.

- Kim Bum-soo, director of Kakao’s Future Initiative Center, also donated KRW 1B worth of personal stocks.

- Kakao Makers is also donating the sales proceeds of made-to-order sweatshirts and smartphone cases with support illustrations and messages.

 

[Feb 12, 2023] Kakao has joined international efforts to support residents living in earthquake-hit Turkiye and Syria.

 

The social contribution platform of Kakao (CEO Hong Euntaek), 'Kakao Together', has raised over KRW 2.7 billion in the shortest period of time ever to support the recovery of earthquake-damaged areas in Turkiye and Syria, with more than 1.04 million users participating in the fundraising campaign. Kim Bum-soo, director of Kakao’s Future Initiative Center, has also decided to donate KRW 1 billion worth of personal stocks to the Community Chest of Korea.

 

After the earthquake occurred on the 6th (local time), Kakao Together opened an emergency fundraising box to raise donations together with the Korean Committee for UNICEF, the Community Chest of Korea, and the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association in the morning of the 7th. With a high response from users, the news spread quickly through SNS channels and online communities, and donations are pouring in.

 

The funds raised from this campaign will be delivered to various organizations and will be used to provide: ▲ drinking water and food for earthquake victims, ▲ daily necessities and heating supplies, ▲ relief to affected children, and ▲ medical/health support for rescue and treatment.

 

Users who want to participate in the cause can donate money directly to each fundraising box, or participate by writing supportive comments. Kakao will donate 1,000 won whenever a user writes a supportive comment at the bottom of the campaign homepage. When a user clicks the fundraising box and share supportive comments, Kakao will also donate 1,000 won additionally. So far, around KRW 600M been donated, and Kakao plans to donate up to KRW 1B depending on the number of participants.

Kakao’s impact commerce, ‘Kakao Makers’, is also organizing a project to support earthquake recovery efforts. It launched a sweatshirt and a smartphone case with supportive illustrations and messages conveying warm support for Turkiye and Syria. These products are made-to-order, which means no inventory, and will be sold on Kakao Makers exclusively by 5pm on the 19th. All proceeds will be donated to UNICEF Korea Committee for the rebuilding of the affected areas, provision of clean drinking water, sanitation, and medical assistance.

 

Kakao CEO Hong Eun-taek said, “Users are quickly reaching out to help the two countries hit hard by the earthquake, and Kakao’s Future Initiative Center Director Kim Bum-soo also decided to lend a helping hand,” and added, “We express our deepest condolences and hope that the donations will help the affected areas recover safely and return to normal life.

 

Meanwhile, Kakao has been actively fulfilling its humanitarian aid and social responsibility, and demonstrating the company's commitment to shared value. It has donated about KRW 5.4B for overcoming the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, about KRW 1.4B for the recovery from torrential rains, and over KRW 2.6B for the recovery from the wildfires in Gangwon-do in March 2022. Apart from these efforts, Kakao’s Future Initiative Center Director Kim Bum-soo also donated his personal stocks, KRW 2B for overcoming the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, about KRW 1B for the recovery from torrential rains, and over KRW 1B for the recovery from the wildfires and recovery from torrential rains in Gangwon-do in March 2022. (End)