Mercedes-Benz’s Charitable Initiative: Restoring Fire-Damaged Areas in Gangneung

The Mercedes-Benz Corporate Social Responsibility Committee has donated a total of 400 million KRW to the Gangneung Volunteer Center in conjunction with the Together with Children Foundation, aimed at restoring areas affected by wildfires in Gangneung and creating fire prevention forests.

This collaboration agreement took place on the afternoon of the 29th at Seoul Square, attended by key figures including Choi Gil-young, Chairman of the Gangneung Volunteer Center, Lee Chae-hee, Director of External Cooperation of Gangneung City, Lee Hoon-kyu, Chairman of the Together with Children Foundation, and Matthias Weiß, Chair of the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.

The Committee supports the recovery from the extensive wildfires, including last April’s large-scale wildfire in Gangneung’s Gyeongpo region, which has affected the area on four occasions over the past six years. They aim to plant fire-resistant trees to prevent future wildfires and establish fire prevention forests.

To this end, the Committee plans to donate 400 million KRW to the Gangneung Volunteer Center, concentrating on planting over 3,650 fire-resistant tree species in six villages in the Gyeongpo area that will span an area equivalent to about six soccer fields (approximately 41,500 m2).

Additionally, the Mercedes-Benz CSR Committee will create community resting areas in four regions of Gyeongpo and plant local favorites such as Baehong trees and cherry blossom trees to help stabilize the mental health of residents affected by the frequent wildfires, while also enhancing the area’s potential as a new tourist attraction.

This support is part of the 1 billion KRW fund established last year by the Committee for wildfire damage recovery, which previously provided 600 million KRW to help restore the wildfire-damaged areas in Uljin County, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Matthias Weiß, the Chair of the Mercedes-Benz CSR Committee, stated, “We hope to quickly restore the beautiful nature lost in last spring’s wildfires so that it can provide a safe and comfortable environment for local residents and tourists visiting Gangneung. The Mercedes-Benz CSR Committee will continue to strive to preserve the environment and contribute to the local community through tangible support.”

Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr