S.Koreans mobilize to support Japan

Posted on : 2011-03-15 13:50 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Fundraising efforts and humanitarian support have been under way through a spectrum of support
 Park Joong-hoon’s Twitter message
Park Joong-hoon’s Twitter message

By Nam Ji-en and Song Chae Kyung-hwa 

 

Amid an outpouring of concern and condolences from around the world at the enormous human and financial toll of the major earthquakes and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan on Mar. 11, South Korean entertainers, NGOs and religious groups are engaging in efforts to provide assistance to the country.

The first of the entertainers to engage in concrete actions were rock bands. A number of bands, including Wiretap in My Ear, GoGo Star, Romantic Punch, and Frontman Gears, are holding the “Rock Dog Korea 2011” concert at 6 p.m. this Saturday at V Hall in front of Hongik University, with all proceeds donated to Japanese earthquake relief.

Actor Bae Yong-joon, known to his Japanese fans as “Yon-sama,” on Monday donated one billion Won to the Japanese government fund. Singer and actor Ryu Si-won said that he will donate 200 million Won and travel to the Sendai area in Japan as a volunteer.

SM Entertainment, an agency whose recording acts include TVXQ and BoA, also announced that it is “discussing the scale and method” of its planned relief efforts.

Television networks are launching emergency fundraising programming to help with earthquake relief. KBS1 will be broadcasting two fundraising programs from 10 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. SBS announced that it also plans to air a fundraising program, although the date and time have not yet been decided.

An outpouring of messages of sympathy has come via Twitter and fan cafes. Actor Park Joong-hoon, who appeared in the film “Haeundae,” wrote on his Twitter page that the film “was made assuming an earthquake with magnitude over 8.0. But this real Japanese tsunami and earthquake, which measured over 8.0, are far more brutal than the film. I hope our neighbors in Japan can overcome this disaster.”

Singer BoA wrote, “I pray everyone is safe,” while actor Park Shin-yang wrote, “My profound sympathies to the victims.”

Kim Jun-su of the group JYJ, who returned to South Korea from Japan the day after the earthquake on Saturday after visiting the country for a photo shoot, said at a fan meeting Sunday that he was “praying for the safety of fans in Japan.”

Actor Lee Byung-hun posted a message on his official home page Sunday reading, “The misfortune of natural disaster always comes irrespective of human will, but I believe that overcoming it depends upon our strength and determination. I pray there is no further misfortune.”

Korea Food for the Hungry International sent an emergency relief team to the scene Saturday, with plans to set up a base camp in the Sendai area and provide emergency relief efforts. KFHI is also raising funds to help Japan through its home page, Naver “happy beans,” and social networking services, with a total of over 17 million Won ($15,041) raised as of Monday.

The Republic of Korea Red Cross, under President Yoo Jong-ha, established plans to send an investigator Tuesday from the Red Cross International joint on-site investigation team, while the Humanity Renewal Association, under Chairman Gwon Seong, plans to team up with the Korea Volunteer Council, under President Lee Je-hoon, to recruit members for a civilian relief team that it will send to the scene of the disaster. Meanwhile, Korea Disaster Relief plans to send out a Japanese earthquake volunteer team on Tuesday.

World Vision Korea provided priority support of $50,000 on Monday and began fundraising efforts with the initial goal of raising $400,000.

Save the Children Korea began a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $300,000, of which $100,000 is to be sent as soon as possible via an emergency relief fund.

The Korean Committee for UNICEF plans to raise an initial sum of one billion Won through its 200 thousand supporters and SNS.

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism made plans to send a five-member emergency relief advance group to the scene of the disaster on Tuesday, after which it plans to send a volunteer corps of around 500 members.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul established plans to provide $50,000 in emergency relief funds to Japan through One Body One Spirit and Caritas Coreana.

Seoul Natural University Hospital plans to send a 21-member medical team, while the Seoul Medical Association plans to establish its own medical volunteer team with around twenty members, including doctors, to carry out relief efforts.

  

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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