Korean companies are supporting efforts to improve the housing of independence fighters' descendants by taking part in the "815 Run," a charity marathon held to mark Korea's Liberation Day.
HS Hyosung Advanced Materials (298050), GS Caltex, LIG and Dongkuk Steel Group are among the domestic companies that have joined the 815 Run, industry sources said on the 18th.
Launched in 2020, the 815 Run is a charity marathon held each year on Liberation Day to help improve the housing of independence fighters' descendants who fall outside the welfare safety net. It is organized by Habitat for Humanity Korea, an international NGO focused on housing welfare, with all entry fees and corporate donations going toward providing homes for the descendants.
HS Hyosung Advanced Materials has sponsored the 815 Run for three years since 2024. This year, the company went beyond sponsorship, with employees selected through an in-house program taking part in the campaign directly alongside their families and acquaintances. The company said the effort put into practice the meaning of its slogan, "Value Together."
The company added that the initiative also connects with a patriotic spirit passed down from its founders. Cho Hong-jai, the late founding chairman of Hyosung Group, contributed to the recovery of Korea's sovereignty, including serving prison time for taking part in the June 10th Independence Movement while a student at Jungang High School. That patriotic spirit, the company said, carried through to HS Hyosung's philosophy of "building the nation through industry."
At this year's event, GS Caltex fielded a total of 300 participants, including employees and their families. The company has taken part in the 815 Run for six consecutive years since 2021, continuing its involvement through "virtual runs" in 2022 and 2023 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GS Caltex said its participation in the 815 Run stems from the independence movement spirit of GS Group. Huh Man-jung, the founder of GS Group, took part as a shareholder in establishing Baeksan Trading Company, which served as a source of funding for the independence movement. The company said it carries on activities commemorating the independence movement in keeping with that founding spirit.
LIG donated 48.9 million won at this year's event. The support was pooled from six affiliates, including LIG Corp., LIG Defense & Aerospace (079550) and LIG System, each contributing 8.15 million won. LIG has taken part in the 815 Run for three years to help independence fighters' descendants.
Dongkuk Steel Group handed a total of 20.6 million won to Habitat for Humanity Korea this year, including 8.15 million won in donations and 12.45 million won in entry fees for 230 employees and family members. The group's cumulative donations stand at 61.85 million won. The group stressed that this year's support carries meaning in expanding its aid beyond uniformed public servants such as soldiers, firefighters and police to independence fighters' descendants.
To date, 21 homes have been dedicated to independence fighters' descendants through charity marathon campaigns including the 815 Run. Habitat for Humanity Korea plans to continue the event with a goal of dedicating 100 homes.
