Hancom Foundation holds first official event with Gapyeong multicultural camp
In short
The Hangeul Computer Foundation, known as the Hancom Foundation, held a two-day multicultural family camp at Cheongriyum in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on October 4–5, which it described as its first official event since its founding. Maeil Business and Chosun Ilbo reported about 500 participants from 12 countries, while Yonhap put the total at about 400 people including volunteers. Scholarships totalling 30 million won were given to 30 multicultural youths, and the foundation’s partner Woomunji signed a cooperation agreement with the Gapyeong County Family Center.
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The Hangeul Computer Foundation, known as the Hancom Foundation, held the “Multicultural Harmony Camp: Joy of Togetherness” at Cheongriyum in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on October 4–5, the foundation said. It described the camp as its first official event since its establishment, an account carried by Chosun Ilbo, Maeil Business and Yonhap. Yonhap said the foundation officially launched in July and that the camp was its first social contribution project. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Participant numbers differ by outlet. Maeil Business and Chosun Ilbo reported about 500 people, among them multicultural families from 12 countries including China, Vietnam and the Philippines, volunteers from Woomunji and members of Rotary International District 3640. Yonhap put the total at about 400 people over one night and two days, saying they came from seven metropolitan-area institutions, including family centres in Seoul’s Gangdong district and Guri, and the Seoul Single Parent Family Center, with countries of origin including Japan, Mongolia, Peru and Australia as well. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
On the first day, 30 multicultural youths received scholarships of 1 million won each, 30 million won in total, raised jointly by the foundation, Rotary International District 3640 and Woomunji, according to Maeil Business and Yonhap. Woomunji signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gapyeong County Family Center at the event to cooperate on education and support for local multicultural families, both outlets reported; Maeil Business said Woomunji also signed an agreement with the Guri City Family Center. [ 2 , 3 ]
The programme opened with a gayageum performance by Oh Hyun-ji, Yonhap reported, followed by the 18-member Areumdeuri multicultural children’s choir performing in traditional dress. A K-culture lecture was given by Shim Yong-hwan, director of a history research institute, and comedians Kim Jun-ho, Kim Dae-hee and Hong In-gyu hosted family games, including a rock-paper-scissors segment from a television variety show. Booths offered dishes from five countries including China, Vietnam and Thailand and traditional games such as tuho and jegichagi, Japanese kendama and Chinese kongju, alongside calligraphy sessions and a poetry exhibition. The evening featured a performance by multicultural idol group X:IN, a comedy circus show and a campfire, Yonhap reported, and a medical support programme was also set up at the venue. [ 2 , 3 ]
After the choir performance, Rotary International District 3640 and Woomunji donated 5 million won and foundation chairman Kim Sang-cheol gave a special donation of 20 million won, according to Yonhap. Kim, also chairman of Hancom Group, said in his opening remarks that multicultural families are a valuable asset for South Korea’s sustainable development and that social contribution should move away from one-sided giving towards consideration and respect based on recognising each other’s cultures. Comedian Hong In-gyu said “laughter is a universal language” and that he felt rewarded seeing participants enjoy themselves. [ 2 , 3 ]
The camp extends a multicultural family support effort that Kim Sang-cheol has continued for five years, now carried out at foundation level, according to Chosun Ilbo and Maeil Business. Maeil Business said it was the second such camp, following one in the first half of this year, while Chosun Ilbo and Yonhap described it as the foundation’s first official event. A foundation official said the foundation will take on the role of connecting people and cultures through Hangeul and will keep supporting multicultural youths so they can grow into full members of society. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The camp is the first public project of a corporate foundation set up by Hancom Group, extending a multicultural family support effort its chairman has run for five years into institutional form, the business outlets reported. A memorandum of understanding with a local family centre points to continued cooperation on education and support for multicultural families in Gyeonggi Province. National wire coverage gives a corporate social contribution event wider visibility than the business press alone would.
Key facts
- The “Multicultural Harmony Camp: Joy of Togetherness” was held on October 4–5 at Cheongriyum in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Hancom Foundation said the camp was its first official event since it was established. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Participants came from 12 countries, including China, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Mongolia, Peru and Australia. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Maeil Business and Chosun Ilbo reported about 500 participants; Yonhap reported about 400. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Thirty multicultural youths received scholarships of 1 million won each, 30 million won in total, jointly raised by the foundation, Rotary International District 3640 and Woomunji. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Woomunji signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gapyeong County Family Center for cooperation on education and support for local multicultural families; Maeil Business also reported an agreement with the Guri City Family Center. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The programme included a multicultural children’s choir, a history lecture, games hosted by comedians, food and traditional play booths, and a campfire evening. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Hancom Group and foundation chairman Kim Sang-cheol attended and spoke at the opening ceremony. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The camp ran on October 4–5 at Cheongriyum in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The foundation described the camp as its first official event since its establishment. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Families from 12 countries took part, among them China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Mongolia and Peru. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Thirty multicultural youths received a total of 30 million won in scholarships, funded jointly by the foundation, Rotary International District 3640 and Woomunji. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Hancom Group chairman and foundation head Kim Sang-cheol attended the camp and the opening ceremony. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The event extends a multicultural family support effort Kim Sang-cheol has continued for five years to the foundation level. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The number of participants: Maeil Business and Chosun Ilbo reported about 500 people, while Yonhap reported about 400. The two figures appear in different outlets covering the same two-day event and are not reconciled in any document.
- Whether this was the foundation’s first or second camp of its kind: Maeil Business said it was the second, following one in the first half of this year, while Chosun Ilbo and Yonhap describe it as the first official event or project since the foundation’s founding. The outlets frame the camp’s place in the foundation’s history differently.
- Which family centres signed cooperation agreements: Yonhap reported an on-site MOU with the Gapyeong County Family Center, while Maeil Business reported agreements with both the Gapyeong County and Guri City family centres. Only one outlet names the Guri City Family Center agreement, and the two accounts differ in scope.
- The foundation’s official launch date of July is reported only by Yonhap. Single-source detail not confirmed by the other documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Chosun Ilbo reports the Hancom Foundation held the multicultural harmony camp from October 4 to 5 at Cheongriyum in Gapyeong, its first official event since founding. [ 1 ]
- Maeil Business reports about 500 participants from 12 countries and 30 million won in scholarships for 30 multicultural youths on the first day. [ 2 ]
- Yonhap reports the camp was co-hosted with Woomunji and puts total participation at about 400 people, including volunteers, over one night and two days. [ 3 ]
- Maeil Business repeats its account of the camp and the scholarship programme. [ 4 ]