"Rooting for Your Dreams"... Woori Financial Group's 'Inclusive Finance' Through Support for Aspiring Athletes

[Financial News] "I hope you grow into a national team athlete who will represent Korea and make our country proud at the 2036 Olympics."
Jong-ryong Yim, chairman of Woori Financial Group, offered heartfelt encouragement to aspiring athletes young enough to be his grandchildren at the group's social contribution concert, the 2026 Woori MomoCon, held at Seoul Land in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 19th. At the event, Woori Financial Group announced its support plan for Woori Dream Bridge, a sports social contribution program. The initiative helps aspiring athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue their dreams and grow into national team athletes. Woori Financial Group plans to invest a total of 3 billion won over 10 years through 2036, discovering and supporting 60 promising athletes each year.
Before the launch ceremony, Chairman Yim had dinner with six Woori Dream Bridge scholarship recipients and their parents. The dinner was an opportunity to celebrate the young athletes' progress and hear about their training. The guests learned about the support program, watched a video, and engaged in free-ranging conversation over the meal.
Chairman Yim asked each athlete about their sport and any difficulties they faced during training, while congratulating them on their achievements at this year's National Youth Sports Festival in Busan. He also encouraged the parents who had supported the athletes behind the scenes and said, "We will continue to provide support so that the athletes can pursue their dreams."
A gift presentation followed, reflecting the group's wish to help the athletes prepare for competition. Each of the six scholarship recipients received noise-canceling headphones and a handwritten autograph from IU to help them relax and focus before competitions.
Smiles spread across the faces of the athletes as they received the gifts. Yoo Yun-seo's mother welcomed the present, saying, "I think my daughter will find it useful for easing her nerves during the wait before competitions." Woori Financial Group also gave the same headphones to Gu Seoni's twin younger sister, who plays table tennis alongside her.
There was also a moment when the athletes expressed their gratitude for the support. When Chairman Yim congratulated the six National Youth Sports Festival medalists at MomoCon, Gu Seoni represented the group by placing her medal around his neck as a gesture of thanks.
Gu Chang-ok, Gu Seoni's father, said, "The MomoCon slogan, 'Always putting our young dreamers first,' really resonated with me." He added, "Seeing how the children were carefully looked after one by one at the event, I was moved because I could feel the sincerity behind those words."
Meanwhile, Jong-ryong Yim, Woori Bank brand ambassador Jang Won-young, and singer Sheon took the stage together at the Woori Dream Bridge launch ceremony. Sheon, who has continued his charity marathon activities, brought Woori Dream Light, symbolizing the hopes of aspiring athletes, onto the stage, and Yim and Jang lit it together. The event expressed their commitment to accompanying aspiring athletes on their journey to becoming national team athletes. 
[email protected] Ye Byung-jung Reporter