Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, left, and Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo pose during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony at the ministry’s headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group
Hana Financial Group and the Ministry of National Defense launched a welfare program to support injured service members and their families, the financial group said Tuesday.
The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding at the defense ministry headquarters in Seoul the previous day to operate the “Hero with Hana” program.
The initiative is designed to ease the financial burden on service members, particularly those affected by service-related injuries, disabilities or challenging living conditions.
Under the program, Hana Financial plans to provide about 1 billion won ($657,000) annually in welfare support to around 300 military personnel and family members.
About 200 service members who are caring for children or parents with disabilities will receive assistance for medical expenses, rehabilitation and psychological treatment, as well as the purchase of assistive devices such as wheelchairs.
The program will also support 60 children of service members who were killed or injured in the line of duty, as well as those stationed in remote areas, by helping cover the cost of educational equipment and digital devices, including laptops and tablet PCs.
In addition, 40 service members who sustained disabilities as a result of injuries during military service will receive support for rehabilitation and psychological treatment.
The signing ceremony was attended by Hana Financial Chairman Ham Young-joo and Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back.
“I express my deep appreciation for Hana Financial Group’s warm support for service members and their families, including those who were injured or sacrificed while serving the nation,” Ahn said.
Ham said, “We will continue to fulfill our social responsibility by supporting service members in recognition of their dedication and sacrifice.”
The latest initiative adds to Hana Financial’s existing support programs for military personnel.
The group built a welfare facility on Yeonpyeong Island in 2013 and has provided scholarships for service members and children of fallen military personnel since 2017. It also offers financial education and asset management programs for military personnel, along with financial products tailored to service members.
