Yonsei University Health System (YUHS) has donated medicines worth 100 million won ($68,138) to victims affected by the recent wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province and Ulsan, as well as to firefighters working to extinguish them. The donation includes painkillers, wound ointments, fire extinguishing agents, and antihistamines.

The wildfires, which have become the most destructive in the country’s history, scorched about 48,238 hectares — an area nearly equal to 80 percent of the nation's capital, Seoul. The disaster claimed at least 30 lives and caused 45 injuries, according to local news reports.

The YUHS said its Severance Labor-Management Public Benefit Fund Committee decided to donate the medicines to wildfire victims while discussing the scale and methods of support for both the victims and the firefighters working on the scene.

“YUHS labor and management joined forces to provide medicines for the wildfire victims and the firefighters on the scene,” said YUHS President and CEO Keum Ki-chang. “We hope these medicines offer some relief to the victims who have lost their homes and to the firefighters risking their lives to protect others.”

Kwon Mi-kyung, leader of the Severance Hospital Labor Union, added, “We hope the victims can return to their daily lives in good health as soon as possible and that the firefighters on the scene remain safe.” She emphasized, “YUHS labor and management are delivering these medicines with that heartfelt intention.”

The YUHS Severance Labor-Management Public Benefit Fund was established in 2005 at the suggestion of the labor union, with both labor and management contributing 100 million won annually.

Korean mask maker KM Healthcare also donated 15,000 masks in support of the Severance Labor-Management Public Benefit Fund Committee’s initiative.