Hyosung is engaged in various community outreach activities under the slogan of a “sharing society.” To fulfill this end, rather than merely engaging in one-time donations, the company seeks to help the underprivileged establish themselves as independent economic and social entities and equip them with skills to shape their future.
Cho Hyun-jun, the director of the Strategic Division of Hyosung, said, “Apart from the core business activities, Hyosung is striving to fulfill its social responsibility. In doing so, the company is not limiting its geographical scope to Korea but seeking to expand to overseas business fields.”
Hyosung has dispatched its Medical Volunteer group “Smile Expedition” to Vietnam since 2011 to provide free medical services to local Vietnamese. Every year, Hyosung dispatches medical volunteers to Dong Nai, an area where the company runs spandex factories and a tire plant, to provide medical services for people with limited means. From Nov. 8 to 14 this year, in cooperation with international relief organizations, Hyosung sent Smile Expeditions to Dong Nai, Long Tho, and Nyun Jak to provide free medical treatments.
Twenty-three doctors specializing in orthopedics, obstetrics, and pediatrics from Ewha Womans University Mok-dong Hospital and 50 Hyosung employees from Hyousung Vietnam subsidiary participated in the efforts. Hyosung Smile Expedition has also visited Puok Tien elementary school to conduct student health check-ups since 2013.
Meanwhile, a Hyosung-organized college student volunteer group, “Hyosung Blue Challengers,” participated in an activity called “appropriate technology” with Vietnam locals in Nguyen Binh, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam from August 23 to 29. According to Hyosung, “appropriate technology” refers to transferring knowledge and skills that enables so-called sustainable development. Taking into consideration indigenous conditions, appropriate technology seeks to limit any possible economic and environmental degradation. Prior to this, Hyosung selected 21 college student volunteers and ran a workshop from Aug. 3 to 5 to train student volunteers for the outreach activities in Vietnam.