W Korea is going through mounting criticism over its Breast Most cancers Consciousness Marketing campaign Charity Occasion after new info reveals discrepancies in its donation claims. The journal has lengthy touted contributions totaling ₩1.1 billion KRW over 20 years.
Nonetheless, in keeping with a report by South Korean media outlet Kbizoom, official knowledge from the Ministry of Well being and Welfare reveals in another way. The info claims that the Korea Breast Most cancers Basis has obtained solely ₩315.69 million KRW (roughly $230,000 USD) between 2007 and 2025, an quantity lower than one-third of the marketed whole.
This revelation, combines with the truth that W Korea’s editor-in-chief Lee Hye-joo additionally serves as CEO of the Korea Breast Most cancers Basis, has fueled hypothesis on-line. Netizens are describing the scenario as potential cash laundering.
Social media backlash has additional intensified after experiences prompt that in a number of years, together with 2008, 2009, and 2017–2023, no donations had been recorded regardless of extravagant annual occasions. It additionally reveals that sponsorship funds might have been used for advertising and marketing functions slightly than charitable help. Within the wake of those revelations, W Korea has but to touch upon the controversy, merely stating,
“Now we have nothing to say.”
This lack of clarification, coupled with the monetary inconsistencies, has led to intense hypothesis and sharp criticism throughout on-line communities. Many netizens at the moment are expressing disbelief and leveling accusations of charity fraud and “cash laundering.” One X person feedback,
“So she’s cash laundering, no surprise she would not give a f*** in regards to the consciousness occasions being handled like events”
As extra particulars emerge in regards to the hole between the journal’s claimed and precise contributions to the Korea Breast Most cancers Basis, netizens are voicing anger, frustration. Many customers argue that the marketing campaign has been constructed on the goodwill and generosity of celebrities and the general public, however that the donations might have been mismanaged or redirected. They’re questioning how a marketing campaign with such high-profile backing might ship such a relatively small quantity over practically twenty years.
The general public backlash continues to escalate as extra netizens voice their outrage over the marketing campaign’s alleged mismanagement. On-line discussions have shifted from skepticism to outright condemnation. Customers are accusing the organizers of exploiting a breast most cancers consciousness initiative for revenue and branding.
Many have expressed anger over claims that the marketing campaign prioritized luxurious sponsorships and image-building over real charitable contributions. Netizens are significantly crucial of the way in which the occasion has reportedly run, calling out what they see as unethical and exploitative practices.
W Korea’s “Love Your W” below hearth as information expose years of zero donations and tenfold monetary inflation
The official information obtained from the Ministry of Well being and Welfare present a exact, year-by-year accounting of the contributions made by W Korea to the Korea Breast Most cancers Basis. In accordance with a report by South Korean media outlet Chosun Ilbo, between 2007 and 2024, the recorded donations had been as follows:
The info reveals a number of multi-year gaps the place the extremely publicized charity gala also referred to as Love Your W was held. Nonetheless, no cash was transferred to the muse as per the report, together with a seven-year interval from 2017 to 2023.
This was significantly notable in 2016 incident the place a press launch introduced a donation of ₩ 50 million KRW. Nonetheless, official information confirmed solely ₩ 5 million KRW was obtained, a tenfold inflation of the quantity. In accordance with a supply’s suggestion even a former Doosan Group chairman was unaware of the true determine.
Past the donation discrepancies, questions are being raised in regards to the monetary mechanism of the annual gala. Investigations have revealed that the journal prices substantial sponsorship charges for model participation. Excessive-end style homes pay as much as ₩ 30 million KRW and jewellery sponsors contributing ₩ 5 million KRW.
These manufacturers obtained outstanding placement by means of celebrities sporting their merchandise on picture partitions and in promotional movies. These manufacturers leverage the occasion for business content material creation below the guise of philanthropy.
Studies point out that celebrities attended with out fee, whereas the business income generated was important. The occasion’s tone additionally drew sharp rebuke, with a breast most cancers survivor stating that it was painful to see their sickness lowered to a “advertising and marketing instrument” with consuming and luxurious items promotion.
Moreover, as per Kbizoom, W Korea has tried to obscure previous particulars by privatizing a video of its 2016 Love Your W occasion. Nonetheless, the gala’s construction, together with unique visitor guidelines and supervisor prohibitions, has additionally precipitated friction throughout the leisure business.
Lawmakers at the moment are demanding a complete audit of all the Love Your W marketing campaign, together with sponsorship offers and expenditure particulars. They’re citing that transparency is the least W Korea owes the general public.
The rising public and political stress persists as W Korea and Doosan Journal have but to situation any official substantive response to the mounting allegations.
Edited by Adrija Chakraborty
