Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School Marks 33rd Anniversary, Welcomes 11 New Guide and Retired Dogs to Families

Established in Line with the Vision of Late Samsung Chairman Lee Kunhee

320 Dogs Placed... Building an Inclusive Environment for the Visually Impaired

On August 27, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance announced that it held a ceremony marking the 33rd anniversary of the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School at its Yongin, Gyeonggi Province campus. The event was attended by approximately 130 people, including visually impaired partners, puppy walkers, families adopting retired guide dogs, and trainers.

The ceremony included events to celebrate the handover of new guide dogs and a retirement ceremony for senior dogs. Seven guide dogs were paired with their new visually impaired partners. Additionally, four retired guide dogs were adopted by volunteer families who will care for them in their later years.

An appreciation segment was also held for trainers who have dedicated themselves to training guide dogs over many years. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance presented a plaque of appreciation to trainer Lee Sungjin, who is set to retire in October. Having joined the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School in 2001, Trainer Lee has spent 25 years raising numerous guide dogs and educating visually impaired partners.

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School Guide Dog. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance

Government and National Assembly officials in attendance expressed a shared commitment to improving mobility rights for people with disabilities and raising public awareness through guide dogs. Han Jeong-ae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "The journey of a guide dog stands as a prime example of solidarity, lowering social barriers for people with disabilities and fostering independence and companionship. We will strengthen the state's responsibility to ensure that guide dogs are welcomed everywhere and people with disabilities can live their daily lives free from discrimination or restrictions."

Assemblywoman Kim Yeji of the People Power Party, who is herself a visually impaired partner, emphasized the importance of creating an environment where people can travel freely and safely with guide dogs. Kim stated, "A guide dog is a reliable partner who connects me with the world. Even after the implementation of the 'Joy Act,' which ensures the legitimate entry of assistance dogs, I will continue to work in the National Assembly to ensure that visually impaired individuals can move freely and safely with their guide dogs."

Cha Jeonkyung, Director General for Disability Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, described the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School as "a representative model of social contribution, bringing together corporations, citizens, government, and parliament." She added that the Ministry would strengthen educational, promotional, and inter-agency cooperation efforts to ensure that policy changes translate into real improvements in daily life.

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance plans to continue its guide dog initiative not merely as a social contribution, but as a long-term project supporting the independence of the visually impaired and driving social change. Ih Munhwa, President of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, stated, "The guide dog initiative is not simply a philanthropic activity, but a program that accompanies the lives of people with visual impairments and helps steer our society in a better direction. We will continue to preserve the value of this shared journey, upheld by the dedication of trainers, volunteer families, the government, and parliament."

Late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung, and a retriever. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance

The Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School was established in September 1993, shortly after the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kunhee's declaration of 'New Management,' with the aim of improving social awareness of people with disabilities and guide dogs. It remains the only guide dog school in the world operated by a corporation. Since its first guide dog 'Bada' in 1994, a total of 320 guide dogs have been provided free of charge, and 93 are currently active nationwide. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance intends to continue activities fostering a society where guide dogs and the visually impaired can naturally coexist.

Park Taejin, Head of the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School, remarked, "The 33-year history of the guide dog initiative is a collective record shaped by the hearts of many. We will continue to do our utmost so that guide dogs and their visually impaired partners can walk together into a broader world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.