The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - Individual Charitable Donations on the Rise

The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - Individual Charitable Donations on the Rise: Total donations from individuals in Korea still lag far behind those in advanced countries with just 0.54 percent of GDP according to 2008 figures by the National Tax Service. That is similar to Australia's 0.69 percent and South Africa's 0.65 percent, but just one-third of 1.67 percent in the U.S.

The average Korean donates W199,000 a year, a mere one-seventh of US$1,220 (W1.43 million) in the U.S. and one-third of 372 pounds (W670,000) in Britain. Despite the promising growth of individual donations, they still do not match Korea’s status as the world's 13th biggest economic power.

The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - Conglomerates Reduce Charity Donations

The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - Conglomerates Reduce Charity Donations: "Conglomerates Reduce Charity Donations

Charitable donations by big Korean conglomerates decreased substantially last year. According to audit reports submitted by major businesses to the Financial Supervisory Service, seven of the 10 largest corporations reduced their donations in 2009 from 2008."

Large firms in a giving mood despite downturn - INSIDE JoongAng Daily

Large firms in a giving mood despite downturn - INSIDE JoongAng Daily: "Despite the effects of the global economic crisis here at home, Korea’s top companies gave more in donations last year compared to 2007, according to a survey by the Federation of Korean Industries."

Companies prep for Chuseok giving - INSIDE JoongAng Daily

Companies prep for Chuseok giving - INSIDE JoongAng Daily: "With Chuseok, Korea’s fall harvest holiday, coming up, companies are already thinking about gift giving. Although these companies may have tightened their wallets during the Lunar New Year holiday earlier this year, they are opening them back up for this holiday season. Corporate gift giving is a tradition in Korea around both of these major national holidays."

Corporate Donations Slide Amid Slump

Corporate Donations Slide Amid Slump: "South Korean firms' charitable donations have fallen by 10 to 20 percent in the first half of this year, according to their semi-annual reports."