Three generations of one family join philanthropy; Park Jong-ok and two others receive National Medals

[Financial News] Park Jong-ok, CEO of Seowon Compressor, who had to leave school because of poverty as a child, received a National Medal for his scholarship programs and donations spanning three generations of his family. Lim Gi-su, chairman of Hankook Tire Chuncheon Sales, and Kim Seung-gi, CEO of Saengneung Publishing, received the same honor for their contributions to education and support for vulnerable groups.
According to the Community Chest of Korea on the 5th, the three were selected to receive National Medals in the material-giving category of the “2026 Korea Sharing National Awards.” In its 15th edition this year, the awards are jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, KBS and the Community Chest of Korea. This year, a total of 132 awards are being given to individuals, institutions and others.
As a teenager, Park moved from Muan to Seoul and built a company specializing in industrial air compressors. He began supporting children heading households in 1995 and established the Seowon Foundation in 2013 with 7 billion won of his personal funds.
Seven members of his family across three generations, including Park, have joined the Community Chest of Korea’s major-donor group, the Honor Society. He has also pledged to donate 1 billion won in life insurance proceeds after his death. The Honor Society is open to individuals who have donated at least 100 million won or pledged to contribute that amount within five years.
Lim built his success through a tire-repair business in Chuncheon. Drawing on his experience of having to leave school because of poverty, he began scholarship programs in 1992 and established the Lim Gi-su Scholarship Foundation in 2010. He supported international students and also worked to establish an alternative school for multicultural families. He has continued his philanthropy after joining the Honor Society with his spouse and children.
Since 1994, Kim has provided scholarships to 51 universities nationwide and donated books worth 800 million won to universities, schools and military units. He provided living expenses to around 2,800 people, including elderly people living alone, single-parent families and North Korean defectors. As chairman of Paju Chamsaranghoe, he also led a “1,000 won per unit” campaign that encouraged local residents to donate.
A total of 27 awards were made this time based on recommendations from the Community Chest of Korea. Shinhan Financial Group received a Presidential Commendation, while five organizations—Kakao, KRX National Happiness Foundation, SL Lee Chung-gon Foundation, Kyongnam Bank and Korea East-West Power—received Prime Minister’s Commendations.
Yoon Yeo-jun, chair of the Community Chest of Korea, said, “I extend my deep gratitude and congratulations to the individual award recipients who have long devoted themselves to sharing opportunities to learn and serving their neighbors and local communities, and to the companies and organizations that have fulfilled their social responsibilities.”
[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter