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About the Foundation

About the Foundation

An independent nonprofit organization promoting balanced development in Korean society

Since 1978, Daewoo Foundation has focused on key fields that contribute to the balanced development of society, pursuing a sustainable future built on shared growth.

Mission

Supporting the health and independence of local communities and strengthening the foundations of social progress

Vision 

Lighting the way for possibility, growing together, and shaping a sustainable future

Principle 

Daewoo Foundation upholds
five guiding principles

With the aim of enhancing public welfare and contributing to the greater good, the Foundation focuses on areas beyond the reach of government and industry, prioritizing initiatives that support balanced growth across society.
All programs have been developed under the five principles established by an external planning committee.

Five Guiding Principles
  • First

    Focus on areas where something essential is missing

  • Second

    Focus on areas overlooked or underserved

  • Third

    Focus on areas where a small amount of support can lead to progress

  • Fourth

    Focus on areas that can serve a leading role

  • Fifth

    Focus on areas that can serve a catalytic role

Milestone 

Our History

Established in 1978 through the endowment of the late Kim Woo Choong, chairman of Daewoo Group, Daewoo Foundation carries out Public-interest Programs in Community Healthcare Services, Social Welfare Services, Academic Initiatives, Cultural And Artistic Initiatives, and Education Support Initiatives. Now operating as an independent foundation, it is preparing for its next hundred years based on forty years of accumulated achievements and expertise

Key Moments
  • 2021

    Honoroing medical professionals dedicated to their communities

    - Establishment of the Kim Woo-Choong Award (2021)
    - Appointment of Sunhyup Kim as the 6th Chair (Jan. 2021 - present)

  • 2011

    Supporting youth employment, entrepreneurship, and global networks of cooperation

    - Launch of the GYBM Global Young Business Manager program (2011)
    - Appointment of Byungju Chang, former CEO of Daewoo Corp., as the 5th Chair (Jan. 2015 - Dec. 2020)

  • 1998

    Opening a contemporary art museum showcasing groundbreaking works

    - Opening of Sunjae Art Museum in Gyeongju (1991) and Art Sonje Center in Seoul (1998)
    - Appointment of Wookhan Kim, former CEO of Daewoo Electronics Corp., as the 4th Chair (Feb. 1999 - Dec. 2014)

  • 1990

    Providing save and warm homes and supporting independence for child-headed households

    - Construction of Daewoo Dream Village (1992) and opening of Bongmyeong Community Child Center (2004)
    - Appointment of Seokhee Lee, former president of Chung-Ang University, as the 3rd Chair (Jan. 1988 - Jan. 1999)

  • 1980

    Taking the nation’s first step in supporting fundamental scholarship

    - Launch of the Academic Research Support Program (1981), publication of the Daewoo Academia Series (1983), and publication of The Horizon of Knowledge (2006)
    - Appointment of Lee Yonghee, former Minister of National Unification and President of Ajou University, as the 2nd Chair (Feb. 1980 - Dec. 1987)

  • 1978

    With a personal endowment of 5 billion KRW from the late Kim Woo-Choong, chairman of Daewoo Group, Daewoo Foundation was established, and its first initiative was the establishment of four hospitals in underserved island and remote inland regions

    - Opening of Shinan Daewoo Hospital, Muju Daewoo Hospital, and Jindo Daewoo Clinic (1979), and Wando Daewoo Hospital (1980)
    - Appointment of Lee Hanbin, former Deputy Prime Minister, as the inaugural Chair (Feb. 1978 - Feb. 1980)

ORBIS 

Daewoo Foundation ORBIS Building

 In 2023, Daewoo Foundation relocated its headquarters to Tongui-dong and named the new building ‘Daewoo Foundation Building ORBIS.’ Orbis is Latin for ‘orbit’ and was inspired by Orbis Sapientiae (The Horizon of Knowledge), one of the Foundation’s academic initiatives. The Foundation envisions the new building as an open platform for engaged scholars, sharing four decades of academic achievements, expanding the horizon of knowledge, and opening pathways to new horizons.

* Venue Rental Inquiry: hello@daewoofound.com / +82-2-6239-7700

Directions 

Directions

Getting Here

Daewoo Foundation Secretariat Office

3F, 30 Jahamun-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul | A 10-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station (Exit 4)

An independent nonprofit organization
 promoting balanced development in Korean society

Since 1978, Daewoo Foundation has focused on key fields
that contribute to the balanced development of society,
pursuing a sustainable future built on shared growth.

Mission

Supporting the health and independence of local communities and strengthening the foundations of social progress

Vision 

Lighting the way for possibility, growing together, and shaping a sustainable future

Principle 

Daewoo Foundation upholds
five guiding principles

With the aim of enhancing public welfare and contributing to the greater good, the Foundation focuses on areas beyond the reach of government and industry, prioritizing initiatives that support balanced growth across society. All programs have been developed under the five principles established by an external planning committee.

Five Guiding Principles
  • First

    Focus on areas where something essential is missing

  • Second

    Focus on areas overlooked or underserved

  • Third

    Focus on areas where a small amount of support can lead to progress

  • Fourth

    Focus on areas that can serve a leading role

  • Fifth

    Focus on areas that can serve a catalytic role

Milestone 

Our History

Established in 1978 through the endowment of the late Kim Woo Choong, chairman of Daewoo Group, Daewoo Foundation carries out Public-interest Programs in Community Healthcare Services, Social Welfare Services, Academic Initiatives, Cultural And Artistic Initiatives, and Education Support Initiatives. Now operating as an independent foundation, it is preparing for its next hundred years based on forty years of accumulated achievements and expertise

Key Moments
  • 2021

    Honoroing medical professionals dedicated to their communities

    - Establishment of the Kim Woo-Choong Award (2021)
    - Appointment of Sunhyup Kim as the 6th Chair (Jan. 2021 - present)

  • 2011

    Supporting youth employment, entrepreneurship, and global networks of cooperation

    - Launch of the GYBM Global Young Business Manager program (2011)
    - Appointment of Byungju Chang, former CEO of Daewoo Corp., as the 5th Chair (Jan. 2015 - Dec. 2020)

  • 1998

    Opening a contemporary art museum showcasing groundbreaking works

    - Opening of Sunjae Art Museum in Gyeongju (1991) and Art Sonje Center in Seoul (1998)
    - Appointment of Wookhan Kim, former CEO of Daewoo Electronics Corp., as the 4th Chair (Feb. 1999 - Dec. 2014)

  • 1990

    Providing save and warm homes and supporting independence for child-headed households

    - Construction of Daewoo Dream Village (1992) and opening of Bongmyeong Community Child Center (2004)
    - Appointment of Seokhee Lee, former president of Chung-Ang University, as the 3rd Chair (Jan. 1988 - Jan. 1999)

  • 1980

    Taking the nation’s first step in supporting fundamental scholarship

    - Launch of the Academic Research Support Program (1981), publication of the Daewoo Academia Series (1983), and publication of The Horizon of Knowledge (2006)
    - Appointment of Lee Yonghee, former Minister of National Unification and President of Ajou University, as the 2nd Chair (Feb. 1980 - Dec. 1987)

  • 1978

    With a personal endowment of 5 billion KRW from the late Kim Woo-Choong, chairman of Daewoo Group, Daewoo Foundation was established, and its first initiative was the establishment of four hospitals in underserved island and remote inland regions

    - Opening of Shinan Daewoo Hospital, Muju Daewoo Hospital, and Jindo Daewoo Clinic (1979), and Wando Daewoo Hospital (1980)
    - Appointment of Lee Hanbin, former Deputy Prime Minister, as the inaugural Chair (Feb. 1978 - Feb. 1980)

ORBIS

Daewoo Foundation ORBIS Building

In 2023, Daewoo Foundation relocated its headquarters to Tongui-dong and named the new building ‘Daewoo Foundation Building ORBIS.’ Orbis is Latin for ‘orbit’ and was inspired by Orbis Sapientiae (The Horizon of Knowledge), one of the Foundation’s academic initiatives. The Foundation envisions the new building as an open platform for engaged scholars, sharing four decades of academic achievements, expanding the horizon of knowledge, and opening pathways to new horizons.

* Venue Rental Inquiry: hello@daewoofound.com / +82-2-6239-7700

CI 

Daewoo Foundation CI

The symbol mark expresses the forward-looking spirit of the Daewoo community as it reaches out to the world. The oval represents the global sphere and the universe, while the upward-expanding form conveys a a spirit of creative challenge.

* DAEWOO BLUE: #0057b8 / Pantone 293C

CI 

Daewoo Foundation CI

The symbol mark expresses the forward-looking spirit of the Daewoo community as it reaches out to the world. The oval represents the global sphere and the universe, while the upward-expanding form conveys a a spirit of creative challenge.

* DAEWOO BLUE: #0057b8 / Pantone 293C

Contact

Address
3rd Floor, 30, Jahamun-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03044, Republic of Korea
Telephone
+82-2 - 6239 - 7700
Fax
+82-2 - 6239 - 7701
Mail
hello@daewoofound.com

This website prohibits the unauthorized collection of posted email addresses by automated programs or other technical methods.

Copyright 2025 © All rights Reserved. Engineered by Daewoo Foundation

Top

Contact

Address
3rd Floor, 30, Jahamun-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03044, Republic of Korea
Telephone
+82 - 2 - 6239 - 7700
Fax
+82 - 2 - 6239 - 7701
Mail
hello@daewoofound.com

This website prohibits the unauthorized collection of posted email addresses by automated programs or other technical methods.

Copyright 2025 © All rights Reserved. Engineered by Daewoo Foundation