Noble Practice of a Prestigious Institution: Samsung's Impact on Welfare Standards in Our Society.

On the 19th, an event commemorating the 30-year-long guide dog program initiated after the late Lee Kun-hee, the former chairman of Samsung, made the "New Management Declaration" in 1993 was held at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The event was attended by volunteers known as "Puppy Walkers," who dedicate their efforts to raising guide dogs, as well as Lee Jae-yong, the chairman of Samsung Electronics, Hong Ra-hee, former director of the Samsung Museum of Art (Leeum), and Kim Ye-ji, a lawmaker from the People Power Party who is visually impaired. It was the first time Hong attended an official event outside since stepping down from her position as director in 2017.

 

Over the past 30 years, trainers at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School have walked a staggering 810,000 kilometers with the guide dog trainees.

 

The event also featured touching stories from the Puppy Walkers who were bidding farewell to the guide dogs they had raised. These volunteers took care of the dogs from as early as seven weeks old until they were one year old, after which the dogs will be adopted by visually impaired partners. Tears flowed as they shared their stories, and even Chairman Lee and former Director Hong were moved by the emotional moments.

 

Visually impaired individual Kim Young-sin read a prepared statement in braille. He expressed his gratitude, saying, "With guide dog Miji by my side, even though I can't see what's ahead, I can safely go out with my child. Thanks to Miji, I have achieved true independence as a mother."

 

During the event, there was also a depiction of the longing and affection for the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee. Hong conveyed in her conversation with lawmaker Kim, "If Chairman Lee had seen this project, which he worked so hard on during his lifetime, he would have been even more pleased." Chairman Lee, expressing his gratitude, asked, "Where is Joy now?" Joy is lawmaker Kim's guide dog.

 

Thirty years ago, when Chairman Lee Kun-hee established the Guide Dog School, the concept of guide dogs itself was virtually nonexistent in South Korea. Some criticized Samsung for spending money on raising dogs, questioning the rationale behind it.

 

However, Chairman Lee Kun-hee tenaciously pushed forward with the guide dog program despite all criticism and opposition. Thanks to his determination and passion, the guide dog program achieved success. In an unpublished essay titled "Conversations with Small Things," Chairman Lee said, "Now I may be called an idealist or even a fool who doesn't know the realities, but several decades from now, people will acknowledge this and say, 'Guide dog programs will enhance the welfare level of our society.'"

 

The late Chairman's prophecy has become a reality. Over the past 30 years, awareness and regulations regarding guide dogs and the visually impaired have undergone significant changes. Before 1995, visually impaired individuals were prohibited from boarding airplanes with guide dogs, but now it is allowed, thanks to the efforts of Samsung employees who researched international cases and international laws and persuaded airlines. Furthermore, since 1996, elementary school textbooks have included explanations about guide dogs, and in 2000, the law was amended to penalize refusals of entry and transportation to guide dogs in public places and public transportation.

 

Over the past 30 years, trainers at the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School have walked a staggering 810,000 kilometers with the guide dog trainees. They have trained a total of 280 guide dogs and continue to distribute 12-15 guide dogs annually. Currently, 76 guide dogs are actively assisting visually impaired individuals, enabling them to lead safe and independent lives.