Hosted by South Korean embassy in Hungary

Tire donations, medical support among recognized initiatives

South Korean Ambassador to Hungary Park Chul-min (left) and Kim Hyung-gyu, HR team leader at Hankook Tire & Technology's Hungary factory, pose for a photo at the second annual CSR Activity Awards for Korean Companies Operating in Hungary, held Friday (local time) in Budapest. [Hankook Tire & Technology]
South Korean Ambassador to Hungary Park Chul-min (left) and Kim Hyung-gyu, HR team leader at Hankook Tire & Technology's Hungary factory, pose for a photo at the second annual CSR Activity Awards for Korean Companies Operating in Hungary, held Friday (local time) in Budapest. [Hankook Tire & Technology]

Hankook Tire & Technology announced Wednesday that it won the grand prize at the second annual CSR Activity Awards for Korean Companies Operating in Hungary, hosted by the South Korean Embassy in Hungary on Friday (local time) in Budapest.

The awards ceremony was established to recognize and share outstanding corporate social responsibility initiatives by Korean companies in Hungary. Hankook Tire & Technology won for the second consecutive year, having received the Community Contribution Award last year.

The company's Hungary factory carries out community engagement activities under the slogan "Think Global, Act Local," focusing on three pillars: social contribution, health and wellness, and education.

In the social contribution area, the factory has donated more than 30,000 tires to over 2,800 national agencies and nonprofit organizations — including Hungary's national ambulance service and the Red Cross — through its "Korean Value Creation Program" since 2012.

On the health and wellness front, the factory has provided ongoing medical support to local residents. In May, it held a "Public Health Screening Day," offering blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests and detailed examinations to about 400 local residents.

In education, the factory supplies school materials to underprivileged children and works with local vocational schools and universities to improve educational infrastructure. It also runs industry-academia cooperation programs, including internship scholarships, to help develop local talent.

Beyond Hungary, Hankook Tire & Technology conducts community programs tailored to local needs at its production bases in the United States, China, Indonesia and other countries.

Meanwhile, the company sells tires in more than 160 countries through four regional headquarters, more than 30 overseas branches, eight production facilities and five research and development centers. Overseas markets account for 85 percent of its total sales.


eyre@heraldcorp.com