Samsung has been blamed by the public for the outbreak of the deadly virus, as its Samsung Medical Center was one of the centers of the epidemic. As of July 3, 89 MERS patients were confirmed to have contracted the illness at the hospital, including 14 medical staff. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 3 (Korea Bizwire) – Samsung Group is planning to provide various measures to help overcome the economic recession caused by the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
On July 2, the largest business group in Korea announced that it had come up with various plans to boost domestic demand that has been weakened by the MERS outbreak, and to help farmers suffering from the effects of severe drought.
As one of its measures, the company will purchase 30 billion won worth of gift coupons that can be used at traditional markets in Korea. The group will distribute the coupons to its workers prior to the summer vacation season. To encourage its employees to enjoy their summer vacation within Korea, it will hold a photo competition for domestic tourist attractions.
In addition, it will invite local business partners in China and Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam to help businesses in the tourism industry most affected by the disease when the MERS outbreak subsides. Also, it will offer reward vacations in Korea to its employees overseas. Through the program, Samsung expects that more than 1,000 employees will visit Korea, giving a boost to the domestic tourism industry.
To help farmers, Samsung will open direct markets at its workplaces, including its Seocho headquarters, where employees will be able to purchase farm products. The markets are expected to generate agricultural product sales of up to 2 billion won.
An official at the group said, “Due to the widespread MERS outbreak, the Korean economy is going through hard times, and we came up with these plans to overcome the hardship more quickly.”
Samsung has been blamed by the public for the outbreak of the deadly virus, as its Samsung Medical Center was one of the centers of the epidemic. As of July 3, 89 MERS patients were confirmed to have contracted the illness at the hospital, including 14 medical staff.
In response to the public outcry, Samsung Electronics vice-chairman Lee Jae-yong, the de facto heir to the group’s throne, had to make a rare public apology.
By John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
