Hyundai Department Store, together with the international relief and development NGO World Vision, has donated a 5,000-square-meter mudflat in Buan, North Jeolla Province, to the Natural Environment Trust.
The Natural Environment Trust, a special corporation under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, acquires natural assets with conservation value and carries out public-interest activities such as permanent preservation and management.
The mudflat donation is the result of the 'Own a Mudflat' campaign that Hyundai Department Store and World Vision launched in June last year. Customers who joined the campaign donated 15,000 won for every 1.65 square meters, or 0.5 pyeong, of mudflat conservation. Hyundai Department Store then matched the total amount donated by customers. With the funds raised, World Vision purchased a 5,000-square-meter mudflat in Buan, North Jeolla Province. By donating the site to the Natural Environment Trust, long-term ecological conservation and management have now become possible.
Yang Myeong-seong, executive director of sales strategy at Hyundai Department Store, said, "The 'Own a Mudflat' campaign is meaningful because customers' voluntary participation and the company's responsible action came together to help preserve a precious natural environment." He added, "We plan to continue identifying and expanding practical programs that can help create a sustainable environment together with our customers."
Meanwhile, World Vision plans to launch the second season of its mudflat conservation campaign, 'One Pyeong of Mudflat Protected in My Name,' later this month.
Kim So-hyung, Reporter compact@sportschosun.com
