“Indeed, the primary purpose of business is to make a profit. However, just as fish cannot survive without water, a corporate must prioritize the welfare of the society in which it operates, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of the nation. To this end, we must find a way to benefit society while at the same time further developing our company. That is the only path to perpetual success.”
Koo In-hwoi (Founder of LG Corporation)
Since its foundation as Lucky Chemical Co., Ltd in 1947, LG Corporation has made consistent and extensive contributions to society.
In line with LG’s growing size and scale of business, our social contribution activities have expanded in both quality and scope. Today, LG engages in far-reaching public interest ventures in diverse fields ranging from arts and culture to science and technology, environment, and welfare. Such undertakings have been made possible by our steadfast management philosophy that advocates “Creating Values for Customers” and “People-oriented Management.”
설립자Founders
Yonam Koo In-hwoi (Founder and Inaugural Chairman of Yonam Culture Foudnation)
“We must find a way to benefit society while at the same time developing our company.”
He recognized the crucial role of a corporate in contributing to the development and stability of the nation and its people, and embraced the belief that business management should foster national prosperity.
Sangnam Koo Ja-kyung (Founder and Inaugural Chairman of Welfare Foundation and Yonam Education Foundation)
“Building a highly successful company is the most direct and substantial contribution to the nation and society.”
With the view that corporate social responsibility should entail business efficiency and effectiveness, he has shown a deep interest in ways to contribute to society and activities thereof.
Hwadam Koo Bon-moo (Founder and Inaugural Chairman of Evergreen Foundation)
“Corporates have the social responsibility to reward righteous individuals who sacrificed themselves for the sake of the nation and social justice.”
While striving to achieve the vision of “No. 1 LG”, he has ensured that LG fulfils its corporate social responsibility through extensive public welfare undertakings.
연암문화재단Yonam Culture Foundation
Yonam Culture Foundation contributes to the development of arts and culture, and promotes science and technology.
Under the belief that LG should serve as the foundation for national prosperity, Yonam Culture Foundation engages in various public welfare activities in the fields of arts and culture, science and technology, and academic research.
Through such places as the world-class performance venue LG Art Center, designed by Tadao Ando, LG Discovery Lab envisioning the future transformed by AI technology, and LG Sangnam Library, Korea’s first digital library, we make every effort to ensure that all strata of society can enjoy a prosperous and happy tomorrow.
LG아트센터서울 LG Arts Center Seoul
LG Arts Center is a performance venue designed by the world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. Located in Seoul’s Magok District, it aims to “give back to society through creation and exchange of arts and culture.”
Opening Date: October 13, 2022 (LG Arts Center Yeoksam operated from March 27, 2000 to February 28, 2022)
Location: 136, Magokjungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Cumulative Number of Performances: 6,500 (As of February 28, 2022)
Cumulative Number of Visitors: 4.5 million (As of February 28, 2022)
Feature 1: A Cultural Space Giving Back to Society
Operated by LG Yonam Culture Foundation and funded by LG Corporation, LG Arts Center is a non-profit performance venue that aims to return corporate profits to society through the creation and exchange of arts and culture. Opened in October 2022 on the former site of the Seoul Botanic Park in Magok District, LG Arts Centre Seoul features various facilities, including the 1,335-seat LG Signature Hall and the versatile black box theater U+ Stage. Based on Tadao’s three architectural concepts—Tube, Gate Arc, and Step Atrium—the venue seeks to establish itself as a landmark in Seoul where art and science, and nature and citizens interact, and where performing arts and diverse cultures coexist.
Feature 2: Top-notch Programs Broadening People’s Cultural Perspectives
Over the years, LG Arts Center has won the hearts of the audience with its outstanding programs curated under the vision of “introducing excellent must-see performances without delay.” Its consistent programming direction has showcased global leaders in performing arts, remarkable young artists creating new trends, and Korean artists with the potential to thrive on the world stage. In addition to contributing to the development of Korean performing arts culture, LG Arts Center strives to enrich the lives of people.
Feature 3: Creating a Fair, Audience-centered Marketplace
LG Arts Center is widely recognized as one of the most exemplary and trusted performance venues for its innovative and creative approaches to programming and theater management. It took the lead in abolishing the long-standing practice of giving out complimentary tickets by declaring itself a “venue without complimentary tickets.” Furthermore, it implemented a season system whereby the program for the entire year is announced in advance, and its package system allows purchases of ticket bundles for selected performances. Such policies of LG Arts Center aimed at creating a fair market centered around the audience have spread throughout the performing arts industry as a whole.
LG디스커버리랩 LG Discovery Lab
Operated by Yonam Culture Foundation, LG Discovery Lab is a non-profit institute of AI education for young people. It provides an opportunity for young people to explore the future shaped by AI technology and discover their own potential.
Opening in Seoul: November 2022
Opening in Busan: October 2021
Education Field: Artificial Intelligence
Target Group: Young people of secondary school age
Seoul
LG Discovery Lab’s location in the vicinity of the R&D complex LG Science Park enables smooth communication and exchange with LG’s researchers. It stands on the grounds of the Seoul Botanic Park, and shares the same building with LG Arts Center, which leads the performing arts culture.
Address: 136 Magokjungang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Go to LG Discovery Lab Seoul
Busan
Housed in the same building as LG Chem, LG Discovery Lab Busan serves as an educational platform that invites young people to experience the future shaped by AI technology and imagine their own future.
Address: 165 Saessak-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan, Korea
Go to LG Discovery Lab Busan
Feature 1: A Place for Experiencing and Learning about AI Technology
LG Discovery Lab provides an opportunity to explore artificial intelligence application technology, and understand the principles behind it. The institute divides AI into five key areas, and offers multi-dimensional experiences in each area, thereby educating young people on the principles and technology of artificial intelligence. Moreover, the exhibition space showcasing AI-integrated home appliances and mobility solutions allows first-hand experience of the future shaped by AI technology.
Feature 2: AI Education Inviting All Youths to Envision Their Future and Discover Their Potential
LG Discovery Lab pursues inclusive AI education aimed at all youths. Rather than nurturing a small number of AI elites, it encourages many young people to experience and explore the world of the future, and discover their own potential. LG Discovery Lab is committed to providing educational opportunities for all youths so that they can envision their future selves and discover the possibilities that lie ahead.
Feature 3: AI Training Program in Collaboration with LG R&D Researchers
LG Discovery Lab provides dynamic AI education by collaborating with LG’s R&D researchers in various AI fields. R&D researchers in charge of LG’s core AI technologies are actively involved in developing the institute’s programs—from selecting topics to verifying the effectiveness of the programs. LG Discovery Lab offers diverse programs that take into consideration different interests and levels of understanding among learners. In addition to regular programs based on the latest AI technologies, there are lectures given by researchers from LG Science Park.
LG상남도서관 LG Sangnam Library
LG Sangnam Library opened in a private residence donated by Honorary Chairman Koo Ja-kyung. As Korea’s first digital library, it has set a new milestone and undergone reforms and transformations. Currently, it provides Digital Talking Books (DTB), thereby playing a leading role in bridging the information gap for blind and visually impaired people.
Opening Date: April 17, 1996
Address: 18 Changdeokgung 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
Number of Resources: 133,859 (As of December 31, 2021)
Number of Usages per Year: 16,908,410 (As of December 31, 2021)
Established in celebration of the library’s 10th anniversary, the DTB service is the world’s first ubiquitous library. It enables blind and visually impaired users to access the library’s audio resources anytime and anywhere via mobile phones.
As Korea’s first digital library, the future-oriented LG Sangnam Library constantly pursues invocation.
At the opening ceremony, it was stated: “We expect LG Sangnam Library to become a source of information that never ceases to supply useful data for Korea’s science and technology research sector, and to suggest a new model for libraries in Korea.” Accordingly, LG Sangnam Library has played a pioneering role and reached several milestones through a series of innovations. By June 2000, the library digitized 1.68 million overseas articles on science and technology, and made them available online for free. As a result, some 2.26 million users accessed articles 5.66 million times. In addition, more than 5,600 library officials from 1,000 institutions have visited the library, making it a benchmark for digital library projects.
복지재단 LG Welfare Foundation
LG Welfare Foundation hopes for a society where we share and care for those in need.
Established for the purpose of “rewarding righteous individuals who sacrificed themselves for the sake of the nation and social justice,” LG Welfare Foundation has implemented projects for building a just society and supporting the underprivileged.
Launched in 2015, LG Good Citizen Award recognizes and rewards individuals who have become social role models through exceptional acts of kindness and virtuous behavior.
In addition, the foundation supports the underprivileged in various ways such as providing growth hormone treatment for children with short stature, and expanding facilities for people with disabilities.
LG의인상 LG Good Citizen Award
LG Good Citizen Award is operated as part of LG Welfare Foundation’s effort to create a just society.
It identifies and rewards not only dedicated public servants but also citizens who have contributed to the realization of social justice through acts of kindness and virtuous deeds. Since 2015, LG Good Citizen Award has promoted such social role models in an effort to build a better society.
LG Good Citizen Award, a small step towards making a more just and beautiful society.
In order for a nation and society to thrive, justice must be upheld and cherished. It is the selfless individuals who sacrifice themselves in pursuit of justice and for the betterment of their communities that bring warmth and humanity to our society. It is our duty as members of society to honor and emulate their noble acts and lives. LG Welfare Foundation’s LG Good Citizen Award commemorates the exemplary deeds of those who wholeheartedly champion social justice, thereby fostering a culture of compassion and altruism in our society.
소외계층지원 Supporting the Underprivileged
LG Welfare Foundation conducts various support programs to help those in need, including children, older people, and people with disabilities.
Supporting underprivileged groups in welfare blind spots
Since 1998, the foundation has been providing essential supplies, home appliances, and food for unregistered elderly care facilities nationwide through annual open calls. Although unregistered elderly care facilities take on the role of a surrogate family for those with nobody to turn to, they often face financial difficulties due to a lack of government support. From the mid-2000s, in line with the government’s policy to enhance unregistered welfare facilities, the foundation went beyond simply providing material goods, and began engaging in volunteer activities. LG established partnerships with different welfare facilities, and our employees have continuously down volunteer work and provided necessary supplies to their sister institutes. Since 2016, the scope of support has gradually expanded from residential facilities such as childcare centers and nursing homes to such facilities as community children’s centers and day care centers, making every effort to provide necessary support for the underprivileged.
성장호르몬제지원 Growth Hormone Support
In partnership with the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and the Association for Child Welfare Growth Hormone Support, LG Welfare Foundation, together with LG Chem, provides growth hormone to short stature children from low-income families. This public welfare initiative helps alleviate their emotional and financial burdens.
Restoring the hopes and dreams of short stature children
Children diagnosed with short stature require long-term growth hormone treatment, which costs an average of 10 million KRW per year. However, it is very difficult for short stature children from low-income families to receive timely and effective treatment. Considering the despair of parents who cannot afford to restore their children’s hopes and dreams, LG Welfare Foundation has been providing Eutropin (growth hormone) to short stature children from low-income families since 1995, based on recommendations from pediatric endocrinologists.
Growth Hormone Treatment
Grown hormone treatment involves administering growth hormone to induce growth. The lack or deficiency of growth hormone can cause slow growth. Therefore, by administering growth hormone, it is possible to induce normal growth. Since growth hormone is ineffective when ingested due to degradation by stomach acid, it is administered through injections. Even in cases where hormone secretion is normal, administering growth hormone at the right time can stimulate growth. According to the results of a clinical trial conducted in Korea, when short stature children growing at a rate of four centimeters per year were treated with growth hormone, they began growing at a rate of eight to ten centimeters per year. However, injecting growth hormone into a child with no growth hormone deficiency does not have a huge impact, and becomes ineffective after the closure of the growth plate. Growth hormone injections need to be administered almost daily and continued for at least six months. Growth hormone injection are prescription-based medications, and therefore should only be given after consultation with a healthcare professional.
Candidates for Growth Hormone Treatment
When a child’s growth rate falls behind that of their peers due to growth hormone deficiency, the height difference increases significantly every year and the child deviates further from the standard height curve. It is known that the treatment of such growth disorders is most effective before puberty and at a younger age. When assessing the presence of a growth disorder, the growth rate is a key factor. Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly monitor the rate at which the child grows each year. If the height falls within the bottom three per cent among children of the same age and sex, it indicates growth hormone deficiency that requires a medical diagnosis. Typically, if the child is the shortest or the second shortest in a class of fifty students, has at least one parent with short stature, and grows less than four centimeters per year before reaching puberty, it is advisable to seek medical attention from a pediatric endocrinologist at the earliest possible date.
About Eutropin (Growth Hormone)
Eutropin is a recombinant human growth hormone formulation developed by LG Chem. Since its launch in 1993, it has been prescribed to over 30,000 patients. It is now available at 136 general hospitals nationwide as a prescription drug with proven effectiveness and safety.
Packaging Size: 1 vial (4 IU) or 5 vials
Storage: In a sealed container at 2~8 ℃
Expiry Date: 24 months
상록재단 LG Evergreen Foundation
LG Evergreen Foundation raises awareness about the importance of the environment, and promotes peaceful co-existence between nature and humankind.
LG Evergreen Foundation was established in December 1997 with the belief that “true life can only flourish amidst harmony between nature and humanity.”
It was the first private-sector environmental foundation established by one of Korea’s top ten conglomerates for the purpose of promoting environmental protection and efficient use of natural resources. Over the years, LG Evergreen Foundation has brought new momentum in environmental protection in Korea through consistent and progressive long-term initiatives.
LG Evergreen Foundation’s continuous and crucial environmental protection activities include the establishment of Hwadam Botanic Garden, an arboretum preserving the nation’s terrain and vegetation, the publication of the first illustrated book of birds in Korea titled A Field Guide to the Birds of Korea, and the comprehensive guide to freshwater fish species observed on the Korean Peninsula A Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Korea, and the propagation of the national flower, Mugunghwa (rose of Sharon).
화담숲 Hwadam Botanic Garden
Hwadam Botanic Garden is an ecological arboretum established and run by LG Evergreen Foundation as part of its public interest efforts.
It was approved for construction in 2006 with the aim of promoting harmonious coexistence between nature and humanity.
The arboretum consisting of sixteen themed gardens is home to over 4,000 species of both native and imported plants.
Opening Date: 1 June 2013
Address: 32-1 Doeung-ri, Dochok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Number of Species: Approx. 4,000 (16 themed gardens)
Area: 165,265 m3
Hwadam Botanic Garden envisions harmonious coexistence between nature and humanity through affable communication.
As an ecological arboretum, Hwadam Botanic Garden is designed to preserve the nation’s terrain and vegetation as much as possible. Along the valleys and foothills, there are various themed gardens such as Moss Garden, Plum Garden, Wild Birch Forest, and Pine Tree Garden, each with its unique characteristics. The gently sloping decked walkways allow people of all ages to appreciate nature at a leisurely pace, and the eco-friendly monorail ensures that people with limited mobility and children can enjoy the gardens at ease. The eco-friendly arboretum invites all to share cordial conversations with nature.
“True life can only flourish amidst harmony between nature and humanity.”
We hope that LG Evergreen Foundation’s belief extends beyond the natural environment and makes everyone’s heart evergreen.
무궁화사업 Mugunghwa Project
LG Evergreen Foundation’s public interest initiative Mugunghwa Project is aimed at promoting Korea’s beautiful national flower, Mugunghwa.
In cooperation with the Korea Forest Service, the Foundation distributes Mugunghwa flowers to elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide, and supports R&D on new varieties of the national flower.
The Foundation distributes Mugunghwa flowers to make them part of everyday life, and supports research and development of diverse varieties of the national flower.
Due to the misconception that Mugunghwa is susceptible to aphids and other harmful insects, it has become increasingly difficult to find Mugunghwa flowers in our surroundings, and the few that we do see are often neglected, growing behind apartment fences and school buildings. As a result, Mugunghwa has come to be perceived as an “unattractive flower” by many. Moreover, a large number of children and young people only know it as a flower mentioned in the national anthem without actually seeing or encountering Mugunghwa in real life. To rectify this situation, LG Evergreen Foundation has signed an MOU with the Korea Forest Service to support the distribution of Mugunghwa and research on new varieties for the purpose of promoting “Korea’s beautiful national flower.”
By planting Mugunghwa flowers in everyday surroundings as well as in the grounds of elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide, the Mugunghwa Distribution Project brings the beauty of the national flower closer to people. Verified saplings and seedlings from the Korea Forest Service are grown in the vicinity of Hwadam Botanic Garden. When they reach about one and a half meters, the trees are sent to selected schools across the country. LG Evergreen Foundation supports the entire process, from cultivating the saplings to planting them in different schools. In addition, pesticides and management manuals are provided to ensure that the schools can easily manage the Mugunghwa trees in the future.
The New Mugunghwa Variety Research Project is a five-year research project conducted in collaboration with the Korea Forest Research Institute from 2020 to 2024. The project aims to develop new Mugunghwa varieties that can be easily grown in households and indoor settings with limited sunlight and ventilation. As the first research of its kind, it poses a challenging task. However, LG Evergreen Foundation and the Korea Forest Research Institute promise to do their utmost to develop new Mugunghwa varieties that can be cherished and kept close at hand.
도감발간 Publication of Field Guides
LG Evergreen Foundation has published A Field Guide to the Birds of Korea and A Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Korea in order to heighten interest in the protection of the natural environment and ecosystems, and to encourage everyone to participate in birdwatching and fish observation activities.
A Field Guide to the Birds of Korea contains detailed illustrations of 573 species belonging to 24 orders and 84 families, aimed at enhancing birdwatching activities.
A Field Guide to the Birds of Korea was produced with the intention of promoting birds as symbols of peace and freedom, and heightening interest in the protection of ecosystems. It is the most extensive of its kind in Korea with information on 573 species, 24 orders and 84 families, encompassing all recorded bird species on the Korean Peninsula as well as some rare birds from around the world. The book contains detailed illustrations of various characteristics of each species including descriptions of male and female birds, parent birds and fledglings, and summer and winter plumage. In particular, the revised edition published in December 2020 provides additional content on scientific nomenclature, birdwatching etiquettes, diverse behaviors, and nesting habits.
A Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Korea features 233 species of fish depicted in detailed 3D illustrations.
A Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Korea is an illustrated guide created by a of experts in the field of freshwater fish in Korea, including authors, artists, and ecological advisors. It records the national environment and ecosystems of the Korean Peninsula including rivers and lakes with the aim of generating greater interest in the protection of freshwater fish. It distinguishes itself from other pictorial guides with its delicate and detailed illustrations encompassing all freshwater fish species that inhabit the entire Korean Peninsula. It is the most extensive of its kind in Korea with information on 233 species, and 3D illustrations of each species, including descriptions of males, females, nuptial coloration, the young, and eggs. In addition, the book contains up-to-date distribution maps and field stories to assist in fish exploration.
연암학원 Yonam Education Foundation
Yonam Education Foundation cultivates future engineering leaders of Korea.
Yonam Education Foundation was founded in 1973 with the vision of fostering human resources and promoting science and technology.
Inaugural chairman Koo Ja-kyung recognized that cultivating human resources was vital for the balanced development of rural areas, and thus founded Yonam College in 1974. A decade later, in 1984, Yonam Institute of Technology opened its doors with the aim of training highly skilled technical professionals.
Based on the philosophy that manpower is the key to national competitiveness, Yonam Education Foundation provides generous support for the training of top-class engineers at Yonam College and Yonam Institute of Technology.
연암대학교 Yonam College
A leader in Korea’s next-generation agricultural technology, Yonam College cultivates professionals with excellent practical skills.
Founded and funded by LG, Yonam College is Korea’s top institute for next-generation agricultural technology.
Since its establishment in 1974, Yonam College has continued to grow as Korea’s only private college specializing in the agriculture and stockbreeding field. It aims to lead Korea’s agricultural industry, and foster the next generation of practical manpower in agricultural technology.
In line with the founder’s vision of “teaching agriculture, not agronomy,” Yonam College places a strong emphasis on practical field education, using the 595,000 square meters of its campus as a vast training ground.
The regular curriculum focuses on specialized education in three main areas (animal husbandry, smart horticulture, and animal welfare), aimed at enhancing competitiveness in the agriculture and livestock sector, and adapting to changes in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In addition, Yonam College turns out the next generation of agricultural professionals through the Rural Resettlement Support Center, which was established in 2006 as the first educational institute of its kind in Korea. Furthermore, the college has established the Next-Generation Agricultural Technology Center to cultivate future leaders in the agricultural industry, and expanded facilities for advanced training in animal husbandry (animal husbandry ICT) as well as smart farming facilities (glass greenhouses, vinyl greenhouses, and vertical farms).
연암공과대학교 Yonam Institute of Technology
In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Yonam Institute of Technology takes the lead in nurturing the next generation of new-collar workers.
Yonam Institute of Technology cultivates a new-collar workforce that will turn hopes and dreams into reality, and lead the new era.
In order to cultivate talented people who can quickly resolve complex problems arising in industrial settings and demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness, our track courses educate students on extensive engineering-related knowledge that can be put to use immediately.
Moreover, Yonam Institute of Technology actively pursues industry-academia collaborations with leading corporates in Korea including LG. The purpose is to turn out an adequate workforce by incorporating rapidly changing industry trends into the curriculum. Through such endeavors as on-demand education attuned to close industry-academia engagement and tailored on-site education, Yonam Institute of Technology firmly maintains its place as one of the best institutes for employment prospects.
Founded and funded by Yonam Education Foundation, Yonam Institute of Technology is an engineering-focused higher education institute. With the support of LG, the college is dedicated to fostering new-collar workers who will lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the field. In order to cultivate talented people who can quickly resolve complex problems arising in industrial settings and demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness, our track courses educate students on extensive engineering-related knowledge that can be put to use immediately. Moreover, Yonam Institute of Technology actively pursues industry-academia collaborations with leading corporates in Korea including LG. The purpose is to turn out an adequate workforce by incorporating rapidly changing industry trends into the curriculum. Through such endeavors as on-demand education attuned to close industry-academia engagement and tailored on-site education, Yonam Institute of Technology firmly maintains its place as one of the best institutes for employment prospects.
