Starbucks Awards 100 Million Won in Scholarships to University Students Who Are Descendants of Independence Activists

50 students receive 2 million won each ahead of the Day of Patriots
Scholarships totaling 1.1 billion won awarded since 2015
Scholarships funded by setting aside 300 won per item sold at Dongnimmun Station location
Support for veterans' families includes employment and housing assistance

Starbucks Korea said on the 12th that it had donated 100 million won in scholarships to 50 university students who are descendants of independence activists, ahead of the Day of Patriots.

Since 2015, Starbucks has operated a scholarship program for descendants of independence activists to honor their ancestors' noble sacrifice and dedication and help them continue their studies in a stable environment. Over the past 12 years, it has provided a total of approximately 1.1 billion won in scholarships to 533 descendants of independence activists.

Plaque at Starbucks' Dongnimmun Station Community Store. Courtesy of Starbucks.

This year, Starbucks awarded scholarships of 2 million won each to students selected in cooperation with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare. It also offered words of encouragement to those pursuing their dreams as they prepare for their studies and careers.

Representing the scholarship recipients who are descendants of independence activists were student Kim Heesoo, the great-great-granddaughter of independence activist Kim Seonggeun, who joined the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai in 1919 and devoted himself to the armed independence movement as a representative for Hamgyeong Province in the Provisional Assembly and head of the National Salvation Adventure Corps; and student Jeong Yuchan, the great-grandson of independence activist Jeong Seosong, who led the independence movement in the Jang-an and Ujeong areas of Hwaseong County in 1919 and spearheaded the resistance against Japanese colonial rule.

The scholarships were funded through a social contribution fund raised together with customers at Starbucks' Dongnimmun Station location, its sixth Community Store, a store that shares its profits. In 2023, Starbucks signed a three-party business agreement with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare and converted the Dongnimmun Station location into a Community Store. It has since set aside 300 won from each item sold and continued various initiatives to support veterans' families, including its scholarship program for descendants of independence activists.

This year, Starbucks also organized a history program for scholarship recipients who are descendants of independence activists. After the presentation ceremony, the students visited the Dongnimmun Station location, the sixth Community Store, where funds for veterans-related social contributions are raised, and learned how the funds are collected. They then took docent-led tours at Seodaemun Prison History Hall and the National Memorial Museum of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, reflecting on the history of the independence movement and the spirit of sacrifice shown by the patriots who came before them.

Starbucks also continues to support employment and housing stability for descendants of national merit honorees. Through a barista recruitment program, eight descendants have joined the company to date. Last year, to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, Starbucks donated the Dongnimmun Station location's August earnings and provided a total of 33 million won in housing expenses to 15 descendants of national merit honorees.

"The social contribution fund raised together with our customers is helping provide scholarships that support the studies and future of descendants of independence activists," said Kim Jiyoung, head of Starbucks' ESG (environmental, social and governance) team. "We will continue our efforts, including scholarships and employment support, to provide practical help to veterans' families, so that the noble values and legacy of the patriots who came before us will be passed down through generations."

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