Hana Bank is joining hands with Gwangbokhoe to support independence merit recipients and their descendants by using trust profits from a public interest trust.

Hana Bank said on Sunday it signed an agreement with Gwangbokhoe to support independence merit recipients and their descendants and to promote veterans-related projects, marking the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day.

The Gwangbok 70th Anniversary Nara Sarang public interest trust is a public interest trust raised in 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Liberation Day, aimed at supporting independence merit recipients. Hana Bank plans to return matured trust principal to subscribers and then use the remaining trust profits for veterans-related projects for independence merit recipients and their descendants.

Based on the agreement, the two organisations will also promote a programme marking the 150th birth anniversary of Kim Gu.

Key projects include scholarships and livelihood support for descendants of independence merit recipients, visits to sites related to the independence movement and academic research, and support for independence merit organisations and commemorative programmes.

Gwangbokhoe plans to identify and recommend people who need economic and educational support. Hana Bank plans to disburse funds for supporting descendants and for commemorative projects related to the independence movement, using trust profits from the Nara Sarang public interest trust as its funding source.

Hana Bank CEO Lee Ho-seong (이호성) said, "It is meaningful to work together on projects that can provide practical help to independence merit recipients and their descendants, marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation and the 150th birth anniversary of Kim Gu." He said, "We will fulfil finance's social role by spreading a culture of giving that uses the public interest trust system."