`Conventional approach of giving cannot shed light on a blind spot in welfare system`

“Foundations funded by corporations should play a bigger role in our society. Our role is to take care of areas that are overlooked by the government.”

This is what Chung Jin-hong, a chairman of the Asan Nanum Foundation, said when he was asked of the future direction of corporate-funded foundations in an interview with the Dong-A Ilbo, which took place in his office in Jongno district last Thursday. The key message here is that corporate foundations should not limit their role to providing material supports, but be able to supplement the social security system. The chairman who celebrated his second inauguration anniversary on the 20th last month said, “Sharing coal briquettes is good, but (we) should work on some fundamental issues.”

○ Attention should be paid to the marginalized.

The Asan Nanum Foundation was founded in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the passing of the late honorary chairman of Hyundai Group Chung Ju-yung, based on the total funding of 500 billion won including 238 billion won from Hyundai Heavy Industries, 200 billion won from Rep. Chung Mong-joon and 15 billion won from KCC Group. Chairman Chung who is also the honorary professor of the department of religious studies in Seoul National University was sworn into office upon its founding.

When asked of why he accepted the appointment, he answered, “I know people’s negative awareness of foundations established by conglomerates,” adding, “I expected that foundation activities could contribute to expanding positive aspects of capitalism and giving a helping hand to the underpriviledged.”

Throughout the interview, he stressed that, when it comes to sharing, a microscopic approach should be discouraged. The word “sharing” usually reminds people of one-way giving. However, Chung said, “Activities like having young Korean volunteers overseas wear a vest printed with the Korean national flag and give Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) to affected people are also in line with this,” because “Sharing means everyone works together and shares together for all of us.”

○ Young people are the key to the foundation.

The foundation currently runs various programs involving young people. Among those are “Chung Ju-yung Start-up Competition” and “Global Interns.” The chairman emphasized that “the foundation’s role is to teach young people how to catch fist, not to give it to them,” and “it will contribute to improving the quality of our society by supporting young Koreans with great potential.”

He did not forget to give an advice for young people. “Every young student whom I met in schools or in the foundation for past decades had great potential.” He stressed, “Young people should have entrepreneurship based on dream and passion, pioneering spirit and creativity, and sharing and responsibility.” In line with this remark, the foundation is to open “Maru 180,” a business incubation center for young entrepreneurs, in Gangnam district next April, in a bid to foster start-ups by young people. It is also planning to develop an education program on entrepreneurship.

Asked of his impressions after two years in office, he said it was the stage of “groping in the dark,” which means that the foundation made various attempts and learned from the trials and errors. He pointed out that “Sticking to superficial results, such as how many competitions were held and how many volunteer groups were launched, is the most foolish thing to do,” emphasizing that “The Asan Nanum Foundation will implement programs specific to various circumstances in a flexible manner.”