Volunteers from Korea Radioactive Waste Agency's Cheongnuri Service Corps prepare kimchi to support vulnerable communities. [Korea Radioactive Waste Agency]
Volunteers from Korea Radioactive Waste Agency's Cheongnuri Service Corps prepare kimchi to support vulnerable communities. [Korea Radioactive Waste Agency]

Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) announced Friday it had received an S rating — the highest possible — in the 2026 Community Contribution Recognition program, jointly administered by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Council of Social Welfare.

The program identifies and recognizes companies and public institutions that have carried out sustained community contribution activities in partnership with nonprofit organizations.

KORAD received an A+ rating in its first year of participation last year and moved up one tier to the S rating this year.

Of 773 companies and institutions that applied nationwide this year, 197 received recognition.

KORAD has pursued a range of initiatives aimed at developing communities near radioactive waste disposal sites and supporting vulnerable groups — including providing ingredients and serving meals at free soup kitchens, expanding sales channels for a cafe that employs people with developmental disabilities, and running mentoring programs for youth aging out of foster care.

The agency also delivered locally sourced agricultural and marine products to new mothers and low-income households, organized community health screenings, and led joint public-private crime prevention and environmental improvement efforts tailored to local needs.

KORAD President Lee Jin-ho said the agency would "continue to identify community contribution activities that reflect local needs, strengthen cooperation with related organizations, and fulfill the social responsibilities of a public institution."


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com