37 companies and organizations donate 183 million won; 5,000 boxes of kimchi to reach about 4,000 vulnerable households
Busan city held its 2026 Love Kimchi Sharing Festival on Tuesday morning at the third floor of Bexco's second exhibition hall. Now in its 16th year since launching in 2011, the event is the largest kimchi-sharing event in the Busan region, organized jointly by the city, volunteer centers in all 16 districts and counties, and Bexco.
A total of 37 companies and organizations donated 183 million won ($135,000) to help neighbors get through the winter, with contributions drawn from corporate social responsibility initiatives and voluntary civic participation.
About 1,000 people attended, including Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo, city council Speaker Kang Mu-gil, executives from sponsoring companies and organizations, heads of volunteer groups, and individual volunteers. After a donation-presentation ceremony, participants mixed and packed kimchi. The city set up food trucks at the venue and provided meals and beverages to volunteers.
The event produced a total of 5,000 boxes of kimchi — about 25 tons — to be delivered to roughly 4,000 vulnerable households across Busan, including those of elderly people living alone. The city plans to distribute the kimchi through local partner organizations, including the 16 district and county volunteer centers, and to check in on the well-being of recipient families.
kaf2002@heraldcorp.com
