KB General Insurance and FSS Hold Chuseok Traditional Market Love-Sharing Event

KB General Insurance joined forces with the Financial Services Commission (FSS) to convey warmth to traditional market vendors and vulnerable neighbors ahead of the Chuseok holiday. On the 18th, a special event was held at Bangsin Traditional Market in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, to practice neighborly love in celebration of this major national holiday. This sharing activity holds significant meaning as it aims to inject vitality into traditional markets, the heart of the local economy, going beyond the simple distribution of goods. With prices soaring ahead of the holiday, multiple organizations united to provide practical support to vendors and vulnerable groups who might be struggling. Key figures, including KB General Insurance CEO Ko Bon-wook, visited the site directly, purchasing goods with Onnuri Gift Certificates and listening to the voices of those on the ground. We hope that such warm social contribution activities will continue consistently, serving as a lighthouse that illuminates the shadowed corners of our society.

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KB General Insurance and FSS Hold Chuseok Traditional Market Love-Sharing Event

1. Background of the Chuseok Traditional Market Sharing Event

This Chuseok traditional market love-sharing event was planned to revitalize the sluggish local commercial district ahead of the holiday peak and to care for marginalized neighbors. The initiative aims to provide some relief to traditional market vendors who face difficulties every holiday season due to rising prices and weakened consumer confidence. In particular, this year saw various financial institutions join forces, laying the groundwork for more substantial support. Injecting vitality into traditional markets, which are losing their footing against large marts and online shopping malls, is one of the important tasks for revitalizing the local economy. The participating organizations visited the site directly to listen to vendors’ grievances and jointly carry out activities to promote consumption. These efforts are expected to create an opportunity for traditional markets, the root of the common people’s economy, to smile again.

This event showcases a model case of financial and regulatory institutions collaborating to realize public interest values. It played a significant role in creating a festive atmosphere where vendors and neighbors come together.

2. Participating Institutions and the Raising of 130 Million Won in Donations

The event drew attention as KB General Insurance, the Financial Services Commission, various financial companies, and the Salvation Army joined forces. Diverse financial enterprises, including IBK Enterprise Bank, Kiwoom Securities, and Shinhan Card, rolled up their sleeves to participate. The total amount of donations jointly prepared by these participating institutions and the FSS reached 130 million won. This precious resource, shared among the organizations, was entirely invested in revitalizing traditional markets and supporting vulnerable groups. By forming a large-scale resource through a coalition of multiple companies rather than a one-off event, they set an example of cooperation. The sight of public institutions and private enterprises joining hands to fulfill social responsibility serves as a model for many. We hope that such multi-institutional collaborative public interest activities will expand further, benefiting more people in the future.

This is a representative sharing activity where multiple companies united to create synergy, going beyond simple donation. Transparent and systematic resource mobilization made effective support possible.

3. On-Site Sketch from Bangsin Traditional Market

Bangsin Traditional Market in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where the event was held, enjoyed a day filled with warmth and vitality. Key figures, including KB General Insurance CEO Ko Bon-wook, visited the market directly, drawing attention. Holding Onnuri Gift Certificates, they walked through the market, greeting vendors and purchasing goods. Vendors welcomed the visitors with bright smiles and expressed deep gratitude for the rare bustling atmosphere in the market. The familiar voices of the vendors and the lively scene of the market provided a precious moment that made the approaching holiday feel real. The participants on site also shopped directly, rediscovering the charm of traditional markets and personally experiencing the difficulties faced by vendors.

The vivid scenes from the field show a sincere aspect of our neighbors’ lives, going beyond a simple press release. The use of Onnuri Gift Certificates was encouraged to induce direct capital inflow into the local commercial district.

4. Plan for Distributing Food Kits and Onnuri Gift Certificates

The goods purchased during the event are scheduled to be distributed without exception to marginalized neighbors in the area. The kits were composed of substantial food items essential for the holiday, including Hanwoo beef, fresh fruits and vegetables, and rice cakes. The carefully prepared food kits, totaling 450 boxes, will be delivered to local social welfare facilities and vulnerable households. Additionally, 4,000 Onnuri Gift Certificates prepared for this occasion are also planned to be distributed to various places in need of assistance. Practical food items and gift certificates will be a great comfort and gift for vulnerable groups who have been worried about holiday preparations. The goods, prepared with sincerity in unseen places, will make this Chuseok even more abundant.

By improving the quality of the goods, they realized practical support that truly satisfies the beneficiaries. Distribution through welfare facilities ensured that even blind spots in need of help were carefully reached.

5. Sharing Message from KB General Insurance CEO Ko Bon-wook

KB General Insurance CEO Ko Bon-wook shared warm sentiments about the local economy and neighbors upon concluding the event. He emphasized that traditional markets are not just spaces for buying and selling goods, but an important foundation of the local economy and a place where the lives of neighbors breathe. He added that he sincerely hopes this sharing activity will be a small source of strength for market vendors and vulnerable groups. The top executive’s direct visit to the site to communicate and deliver a sincere message resonated deeply with internal employees as well. It demonstrated that corporate social responsibility truly shines only when practiced by working hard on the ground, not just in words. This will serve as a driving force for KB General Insurance to establish itself as a trusted company that coexists with the local community in the future.

The sincere attitude of the management deepened the meaning of the event. The warm words of comfort conveyed to the vendors remind us of the significance of the Chuseok holiday.

6. Sustainable Regional Coexistence and Future Outlook

This traditional market love-sharing event by KB General Insurance and the FSS presents a model of sustainable coexistence, not a one-time event. To overcome the economic difficulties our society faces, public and private sectors must continue to cooperate in caring for neighbors. We also encourage readers to visit nearby traditional markets instead of large marts during the upcoming holiday to share warmth. Small consumption and attention can revitalize traditional markets and bring smiles back to the faces of our neighbors. We hope that such meaningful social contribution activities will become more active, leading to a society filled with warmth. Continuous interest and participation are the most certain way to make our society stronger.

This provides concrete action directions that readers can practice in their daily lives. Continuous support is needed for the actions of companies that create social value.

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