Rotary clubs in Korea improve communities at home and abroad

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From protecting the environment to eradicating a paralyzing disease, Korea’s Rotary clubs are addressing humanitarian challenges facing the world today

GOYANG CITY, Korea (26 May 2016) – As Rotary members gather from 160 countries in Korea (28 May – 1 June) for the humanitarian service organization’s annual convention, they will enjoy the hospitality of a host country where Rotary clubs have helped improve lives and bring positive, lasting change for 88 years.

Seoul is home to the first #rotaryclub established in Korea, chartered in 1927. Today, Korea is the fourth largest #rotaryclub country with 1,625 clubs and 64,149 members who support an array of local and international service initiatives, including:

• Helping infants and toddlers with critical illnesses or chronic conditions in partnership with Seoul National University Children’s Hospital;  
• Teaming up with environmental experts and the government of Mongolia to help prevent the adverse health effects caused by the yellow wind dust storms from the Gobi desert;
• Bridging cultures among recent immigrants by opening a children’s library near KINTEX where convention participants will donate illustrated children’s books in multiple languages.
• Providing educational opportunities for nearly 500 children with autism and other intellectual and emotional challenges in partnership with Andong Youngmyung Special Education School.  
• Making global health history by supporting Rotary’s top philanthropic goal of eradicating polio​. Since 1985, Rotary has contributed more than KRW 1.4 trillion (US$1.5 billion) and countless volunteer hours toward ending the paralyzing but vaccine preventable disease, with Korean Rotary clubs donating more than KRW 146 million (US$14.6 million).