63 Million KRW Delivered to Gyeongsangbuk-do for Wildfire Recovery

Over 1,100 YU and Medical Center Members Take Part in Fundraising

From Students to Faculty, Staff, and International Students—The Entire University Community United in Giving

All Funds Raised Donated to Gyeongsangbuk-do—Used for Disaster Recovery and Resident Support

[April 14, 2025]

<YU delivered a donation raised by its university community to support residents affected by wildfires. (From left, fifth person: YU President CHOI Oe-chool, Gyeongsangbuk-do Vice Governor KIM Hak-hong)>

 Yeungnam University (President CHOI Oe-chool) has donated 63 million KRW to Gyeongsangbuk-do to support residents affected by the recent large-scale wildfires in the region. The donation was raised through a voluntary fundraising campaign among the university community.

 The campaign ran for approximately two weeks, from March 28 to April 8, and saw participation from over 1,100 individuals, including faculty and staff from Yeungnam University and Yeungnam University Medical Center (Director KIM Yong-dae), as well as enrolled students and international students. Notably, the campaign brought together people from different nationalities and backgrounds—students, faculty, staff, and international students alike—demonstrating the warm spirit of solidarity within the YU community and their deep sense of responsibility toward the local region in a time of unprecedented crisis. 

 The donation ceremony was held on April 14 at the Office of the Vice Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Present at the event were President CHOI Oe-chool of Yeungnam University, Gyeongsangbuk-do Vice Governor KIM Hak-hong, Director LEE Jun of YU Medical Center, Chairperson PARK Young-bong of the YU Staff Union, Director JUNG Jin-young of the Social Contribution Center, Student President AHN Deok-geun, and international student representatives Tembo Tobias and Lao Sereylinda, who gathered to share in the spirit and meaning of the donation effort.

<Graduate students from YU’s Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul participate in the fundraising for wildfire relief.>

 Led by its Social Contribution Center, YU has long been engaged in a wide range of community service activities. The wildfire relief campaign was part of these ongoing efforts. The center regularly conducts campus clean-up activities, kimchi-making volunteer programs, support for local children’s centers, and overseas volunteer missions—initiatives aimed at strengthening ties with the local and global communities. Through this campaign, YU hopes to support the swift recovery of affected residents and the restoration of disaster-stricken areas.

 President CHOI Oe-chool commented, “This campaign was a meaningful act of compassion, driven by the spontaneous participation of our university members who empathized with the pain of their neighbors. YU remains dedicated to cultivating warm-hearted, responsible individuals who contribute to humanity.” He continued, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have suffered great loss due to the sudden wildfires and sincerely hope that they may return to their normal lives as soon as possible. YU will continue to stand beside the local community, sharing in its hardships and offering real, meaningful support.”