Hana Financial to widen support for aspiring young entrepreneurs

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, right, and Korea National University of Cultural Heritage President Kim Young-mo pose during a signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding for a project to nurture young entrepreneurs, at the school's campus in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, Friday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

By Yi Whan-woo

Hana Financial Group will expand nationwide support for university students who aspire to start their own business.

The country's third-largest banking group said Sunday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea National University of Cultural Heritage as part of a project named "Hana Social Venture University."

Located in Buyeo County, South Chungcheong Province, the school is a government-affiliated institution dedicated to preserving cultural assets and traditional cultures.

The school is Hana Financial Group's first partner for the project aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and to set up a startup ecosystem across regions to contribute to regional economies.

The project runs under the firm's broader vision of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) management and is recognized by the Ministry of Employment and Labor as an ESG project supporting young entrepreneurs.

"The declining population is emerging as a social problem in the rural regions, as young jobseekers are flocking to the Seoul metropolitan area," Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo said after signing the MOU, Friday.

"In that regard, Hana Financial Group through 'Hana Social Venture University' project will be at the forefront to nurture young entrepreneurs in harmony with the unique characteristics of their hometowns, create various jobs and boost regional economies," the chairman added.

Korea National University of Cultural Heritage President Kim Young-mo expressed hope that the MOU will "lay the groundwork" to revitalize Buyeo's economy.

Under the MOU, Hana Financial Group will offer support for students to come up with creative business ideas in relation to traditional culture, jointly create educational content and provide hands-on experiences.

The company plans to sign additional MOUS with universities in 10 areas across the country, including provinces of Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang and Gangwon as well as Seoul, by the first half of this year.

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