Lotte, Which Gifted 'Yeongdo Bridge,' Renews Ties with Citizens at Festival

Invested 110 billion won to restore Yeongdo Bridge; joins the 34th Yeongdo Bridge Festival

Distributes 30,000 beverages and snacks, operates promotional booths; affiliates also promote the festival

The story of Busan and Lotte runs through Yeongdo Bridge. It was where young Shin Kyuk-ho set off for Japan to begin a new challenge, and where Lotte Group spent 110 billion won to restore the old bridge. That connection will once again bring the group and citizens together at this year's Yeongdo Bridge Festival.

The 34th Yeongdo Bridge Festival, which celebrates Yeongdo Bridge and the memories and joys and sorrows of Busan residents, will be held from October 30 to November 1 at the Mul-yangjang waterfront in Bongnaedong and around Amir Park.

Lotte Group announced on October 30 that it would take part in the festival. Lotte Holdings and Lotte Department Store's Gwangbok branch will set up promotional booths at the site and distribute 30,000 products from Lotte Chilsung Beverage and Lotte Wellfood to citizens. On-site events, including the distribution of coffee coupons, will also be held.

Lotte Mart, Lotte Cinema, and Lotte Hi-Mart will also promote the festival through promotional videos and informational materials. The festival will open with a ceremony at 6 p.m. on October 30, followed by singers' performances, a fireworks show, theater, busking, a flea market, food events, and a children's festival.

Lotte's connection with Yeongdo Bridge began with its founder, the late honorary chairman Shin Kyuk-ho. The area near the present-day Yeongdo Bridge was where Shin set out for Japan as a young man to pursue a new challenge.

To honor that connection, Lotte invested 110 billion won in the Yeongdo Bridge restoration project in 2013. It restored the bridge, which had faced demolition due to deterioration, and donated it to the Busan Metropolitan City government. Including projects such as the construction of the Busan Opera House, Lotte's donations to Busan total 210 billion won.

Lotte continues to work alongside the local community. It operates 23 affiliates and 168 business locations in Busan and employs more than 6,000 people. Every year, it holds a kimchi-making and sharing event for underprivileged groups. It also supports local youth-led startups with the Busan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation and Lotte Ventures. In addition, it runs the “Mom Pyeonhan Playground” and “Mom Pyeonhan Dream Attic” programs for children.

Kwon Jeonggeun, chair of the Busan Lotte Affiliates Council and general manager of Lotte Hotel Busan, said, “With the mindset of a partner who is always by the side of Busan citizens, we are working to share more with the community. We will continue to carry out social contribution activities that citizens can feel in their everyday lives.”

Yeongdo-gu Mayor Kim Cheolhun said, “We have prepared a variety of programs so that visitors can experience the area's history and culture, as well as the appeal of a maritime city. We will devote ourselves to preparing the festival so that citizens and tourists can make special autumn memories in Yeongdo.”

The Yeongdo Bridge raising ceremony after it reopened following restoration work in 2013.

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