- California Assembly OKs highest minimum wage in nation
- S. Korea unveils first graphic cigarette warnings
- US joins with South Korea, Japan in bid to deter North Korea
- LPGA golfer Chun In-gee finally back in action
- S. Korea won’t be top seed in final World Cup qualification round
- US men’s soccer misses 2nd straight Olympics
- US back on track in qualifying with 4-0 win over Guatemala
- High-intensity workout injuries spawn cottage industry
- CDC expands range of Zika mosquitoes into parts of Northeast
- Who knew? ‘The Walking Dead’ is helping families connect
$100K donators’ group
Cha Seung-won, Ha Ji-won, Kim Yuna, K.J. Choi join Ryu Hyun-jin and Song Seung-hun
By Lee Kyutae
Actors Song Seung-hun, Cha Seung-won and Ha Ji-won, figure skater Kim Yuna and golfer K.J. Choi gave big to aid the victims of the ferry accident as search-and-rescue operations entered their eighth day Wednesday in waters off the southwestern island of Jindo. The five stars have each given 100 million won (nearly $100,000).
A day after Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin pledged 100 million won on April 18, Song and Kim each made 100 million won donation to the Salvation Army Korea and UNICEF, respectively. Ha and Cha gave to the Community Chest of Korea this week.
The Community Chest stated that it would use the money to send down provisions to the families of the missing who are camped out at a gymnasium in Jindo. Part of the donation will be used to aid search operations.
Choi, who plays on the PGA tour and known as Choi Kyung-joo in Korea, also donated 100 million won to Danwon High School in Ansan, which many of the victims attended. A total of 325 students from the school were on their way to Jeju Island for a field trip when the accident occurred.
Han Hee-jun, who made it to the top eight in the third season of “K-pop Star,” a televised audition program, also made a significant contribution. His performance fees of ten million won (nearly $10,000 U.S.) will now go to those still suffering through his agency in the United States.