Philip Morris Korea President Chong Il-woo, second from left, holds a placard showing the firm’s donation of a refrigerated food truck to Songpa Food Market, with the food market’s Director Seo Ji-seon, center, and Rep. Yoo Il-ho of the Saenuri Party, fourth from left, at the market in eastern Seoul last week. / Courtesy of Philip Morris

By Kim Tae-gyu

Philip Morris Korea donated another refrigerated food truck to Songpa Food Market and a ceremony was held last week to give the vehicle to the market in eastern Seoul.

Operators of the market have collected food donations for the underprivileged in the region but the lack of refrigerated vehicles was an obstacle.

``With summer around the corner, we are now putting all our efforts for food sanitation and safety in order to provide fresh food to our neighbors in need,’’ said Seo Ji-seon, a director of Songpa Food Market.

``The refrigerated food truck is expected to help solve food safety problems and deliver food faster than before.’’

Since 1999, Philip Morris Korea has donated refrigerated food trucks to social welfare centers in major cities across Korea and the one given to Songpa Food Market was the 36th.

Midway through this month, Philip Morris Korea donated its 35th refrigerated truck to the Community Chest of Korea to continue its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

``I hope that the 36th refrigerated food truck will bring a warmhearted feeling to alienated neighbors in all parts of our community,’’ Philip Morris Korea President Chong Il-woo said.

``Philip Morris Korea, as part of the community, will undertake its social responsibilities and extend a hand whenever necessary for the community.’’