Woori Financial Group said on Wednesday it held an event marking its 25th anniversary at its head office history museum, "Woori 1899", and at a Goodwill store under the theme "Roots of 1899, 127 years together".

Woori Financial was launched in 2001 based on Woori Bank, which traces its origins to Daehan Cheonil Bank founded in 1899.

About 230 people attended the event, including Chairman Lim Jong-ryong (임종룡), the group’s model IU, representatives of small merchants from Namdaemun Market and winners of the Woori Financial People Award.

The event focused on a donation programme linked to Namdaemun Market. Woori Financial donated items it bought directly at the market to a Goodwill store for resale. It implemented a "mutual growth virtuous cycle" structure that simultaneously pursued support for small merchants and the creation of jobs for people with disabilities.

IU, who has participated in the group’s social contribution activities, received the "Honorary Woori Financial People Award". A children’s choir from the Woori Multicultural Scholarship Foundation gave a celebratory performance.

Lim said the scope of "Woori" pursued by Woori Financial extends beyond the group to everyone in society, including small merchants at Namdaemun Market. He said it would continue to build on the pioneering spirit of 1899 and the DNA of mutual growth to become "the first finance in our hearts" that walks alongside those who need help.