Environmental firm reaches out to depressed Gunsan citizens with cultural event

By Park Sae-jin Posted : March 27, 2018, 13:30 Updated : March 27, 2018, 14:35

Kukin CEO Park Moo-eung (left) and Gunsan Mayor Moon Dong-shin agree on a joint sponsoring of a concert. [Courtesy of Kukin]



SEOUL --  Gunsan, a port city some 200 kilometers (124 miles) southwest of Seoul, has been an industrial base housing a shipyard run by Hyundai Heavy Industries, a car plant for General Motors and a truck factory for Tata Motors, which were credited with supporting the region's economic growth.

However, the city is now grappling with a business setback that began after the world's largest shipyard suspended the operation of its shipyard in Gunsan last year as part of global consolidation.

Anxiety grew among people living in Gusan and nearby areas especially after GM last month announced its decision to shut down its Gunsan plant by the end of May. There are about 2,000 workers at the GM plant and 12,000 others employed at suppliers and subcontractors who are afraid of losing their job.

To minimize the back blast caused by GM's sudden decision, Gunsan has been designated as an industrial crisis zone to receive a wide range of financial support, low-interest loans and other favors. Companies such as Kukin, a recycling firm, have joined forces to revitalize the downed communities.

This month, Kukin sponsored "Spring Concert", a special cultural event held at the Gunsan Arts Center, that featured many famous artists, to provide comfort to Gunsan citizens. For years, the recycling firm has sponsored a series of cultural events in Gunsan such as "Swan Lake", a ballet showcase in 2016, and a magic show featuring popular magician Lee Eun-gyeol last year.

"As part of our corporate donation program, we are very happy to provide the citizens of Gunsan with a high-quality cultural event," Kukin CEO Park Moo-eung told Aju News, adding his company would do its best to console citizens with more cultural events.

At the concert on March 17, popular singers such as Sohyang, Jung Dong-ha and Kim Sun-young, a musical actress, performed with a philharmonic orchestra, presenting audiences with K-pop hits and popular musical songs.

Kukin is a subsidiary of Kabul International Group which has other subsidiaries involved in automobile components, steel, electric wiring, construction, environment, and medical fields.






 
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