The Korea Rehabilitation Agency said on the 17th that it signed an agreement with NH Bank on the 16th to support the livelihoods of people under legal rehabilitation programs.
The agreement is intended to prevent recidivism by providing practical living support to people facing social and economic hardship after release from prison, and to include those with limited access to financial services.
Under the deal, NH Bank will donate a total of 200 million won ($144,000) to the agency, consisting of 100 million won in funds and 100 million won worth of goods including grain. The donations will go entirely toward welfare programs, including support for the independence of program participants and their families and a rehabilitation protection fund.
"This is a meaningful agreement that gives people under legal rehabilitation a chance to get back on their feet and improves public safety," said Choi Young-seung, chairman of the Korea Rehabilitation Agency. "We hope such support for crime prevention and a safer society continues."
Kang Tae-young, chief executive of NH Bank, said helping program participants return to society and become self-reliant contributes to public safety. "As a financial institution, we will continue to fulfill our social responsibility and carry out various community programs and support that provide practical help to these individuals and their families," he said.
The Korea Rehabilitation Agency is a quasi-governmental public institution under the Ministry of Justice that runs rehabilitation programs, including housing, meals and vocational training, to help former inmates settle into society. It assisted about 20,000 people last year.
