ULSAN — HD Hyundai has donated 100 million won in emergency relief funds to help residents and merchants in Ulsan's Dong-gu district return to daily life after a major fire and localized downpours caused extensive damage. Beyond the cash, the group is also deploying equipment and volunteers to join recovery work on the ground.
HD Hyundai held a disaster relief fund ceremony at the Dong-gu district office on the 2nd, attended by Dong-gu District Chief Cheon Ki-ok and Choi Heon, head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' management support division.
The funds were raised to help neighbors whose livelihoods were shaken by back-to-back disasters just ahead of the Chuseok holiday shopping season. Three main HD Hyundai affiliates contributed: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gave 50 million won, while HD Hyundai Electric and HD Construction Equipment each provided 25 million won, for a total of 100 million won.
Dong-gu has suffered substantial property damage from a series of setbacks. On Aug. 22, a fire of unknown origin broke out at the Bangeojin Live Fish Center, destroying 57 shops. On the 30th, sudden heavy rain flooded homes and commercial buildings in the Bangeo-dong, Ilsan-dong and Hwajeong-dong areas.
Along with the donation, HD Hyundai will support cleanup efforts at the site. On the 4th, the company will send an emergency volunteer team of about 30 HD Hyundai Heavy Industries employees to the Bangeojin Live Fish Center. The team plans to bring in heavy equipment to collect and clear fire debris and waste, helping affected merchants reopen as soon as possible.
"I am deeply grateful to HD Hyundai employees, who were the first to look into the pain of a community suffering from an unexpected disaster and extend a helping hand," Cheon said. "We will do our best to provide administrative support so that affected merchants and residents can return to peaceful daily life as soon as possible."
An HD Hyundai official said, "We extend our deepest sympathies to the residents and merchants who suffered enormous damage from the fire and flooding," adding, "We hope this support breathes life into the depressed local commercial district and provides real help as residents get back on their feet."
HD Hyundai has repeatedly committed funds, heavy equipment and personnel during national disasters, including flood recovery support when the Taehwa River overflowed in 2016 and relief operations at the site of large wildfires in Gangwon Province in 2019, as part of its continuing work on regional coexistence and social responsibility.
