KB Financial, Agriculture Ministry to Invest 2.5 Billion Won in Regional Support Programs

KB Financial Group said Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to jointly support local communities, small businesses and young people.

The partnership is based on the government’s “5 hubs, 3 special zones” policy and aims to provide locally felt infrastructure and living support aligned with balanced national development. The two sides will pursue three programs as a package — youth support, balanced regional development and small-business support — and provide a total of 2.5 billion won over three years.

KB Financial will contribute 300 million won over three years to the “1,000-won breakfast” program, which the ministry is running with local governments and universities.

It will also invest 1.6 billion won over three years in rural energy self-sufficient village projects. Solar power facilities will be installed at 12 sites across five regions: two in the central area, three in the southwest, two in Daegu-North Gyeongsang, three in the southeast, and two in the Gangwon-Jeju area. Revenue from the facilities will be used as a community fund.

In addition, KB Financial will provide 600 million won over three years for the “Hearty Lunch for Workers” initiative to ease dining costs for employees at regional small and midsize companies and help local restaurants recover sales. The company expects 1.2 million workers to benefit over three years.

A KB Financial official said the group will build an integrated model of shared growth spanning youth, regions and small businesses to deliver changes people can feel on the ground, adding that public-private cooperation will strengthen execution and ensure results flow back to local communities.