Chairman Lim Jong-ryong: 'We will continue our own social responsibility'

2026 Woori MomoCon held at Seoul Land in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province

Woori Financial Group Chairman Lim Jong-ryong (fifth from left), Woori Bank brand ambassador and singer Jang Won-young (fourth from right), and singer Shawn (fourth from left) pose with athletes supported by the Woori Dream Bridge program at the 2026 Woori MomoCon at Seoul Land in Gwacheon on Saturday, where the group officially launched its Woori Dream Bridge sports social contribution initiative. [Woori Financial Group]
Woori Financial Group Chairman Lim Jong-ryong (fifth from left), Woori Bank brand ambassador and singer Jang Won-young (fourth from right), and singer Shawn (fourth from left) pose with athletes supported by the Woori Dream Bridge program at the 2026 Woori MomoCon at Seoul Land in Gwacheon on Saturday, where the group officially launched its Woori Dream Bridge sports social contribution initiative. [Woori Financial Group]

Woori Financial Group said Monday it will invest 3 billion won ($2.17 million) over the next 10 years to identify and nurture promising young athletes.

The group unveiled the plan Saturday at the 2026 Woori MomoCon, where it formally launched the Woori Dream Bridge program. The initiative is a long-term sports social contribution project designed to help young athletes from difficult financial backgrounds pursue their dreams and grow into future national team members.

Under the plan, the group will invest a total of 3 billion won through 2036, identifying and supporting 60 promising athletes each year.

The MomoCon, held Saturday at Seoul Land in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, combined live performances with theme park attractions. Woori Financial Group Chairman Lim Jong-ryong, Woori Bank brand ambassador and singer Jang Won-young, and singer Shawn — known for his charity marathon campaigns — took the stage together for the Woori Dream Bridge launch ceremony.

Shawn carried the "Woori Dream Light" — a torch symbolizing hope for young athletes — onto the stage. Lim and Jang then lit it together, illuminating the stage.

"The Woori MomoCon, now in its fourth year, has evolved beyond a traditional charity event into a social contribution concert that incorporates sports," Lim said. "We will use the goodwill gathered here as the driving force to actively advance the Woori Dream Bridge project and continue our own social responsibility."

Woori Financial Group said it had already surpassed its annual targets for productive finance through August, supplying a total of 25.3 trillion won — including 1.5 trillion won in investment and 23.8 trillion won in loans. The group also supplied 2.2 trillion won in inclusive finance products aimed at lower-income customers.


hyuk@heraldcorp.com