Have you ever heard the story of a boy who tried to save starfish? Frequently mentioned by social activists, this tale comes from the mid-20^th-century essay “The Star Thrower” by renowned anthropologist Loren Eiseley. It tells the story of a boy who, despite the odds, persistently throws starfish washed ashore back into the sea, ultimately saving many.

Though the story has been retold over time with slight variations, its central message remains: the small actions we take in our daily lives can make a significant difference to others and serve as a powerful force for change in the world.

SK Innovation and its affiliates are committed to fostering a sustainable future through ongoing social contribution efforts. Recognizing the diverse needs of communities and groups that require attention and support, the company works closely with its employees to implement a variety of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs. Driven by sincerity, let’s take a moment to reflect on the impactful activities led by SK Innovation and its affiliates in the second half of 2024.
*CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility): Voluntary activities companies undertake to positively impact society and the environment, beyond their legal and economic obligations.

■ Leading by Example: Company-Wide Volunteer Commitment

SK Innovation affiliates’ Second Half 2024 ‘Volunteer Week’ poster

SK Innovation and its affiliates launched Volunteer Week (V-Week), a focused initiative involving all members across domestic and international sites. From October 21 to November 1, participants engaged in diverse activities, including supporting elderly individuals living alone, aiding those with developmental disabilities, environmental cleanups, blood donations, pro bono work, and region-specific projects. During this H2 V-Week, team members from SK Innovation, SK Energy, SK Geo Centric, SK On, and other affiliates collectively contributed a remarkable 11,000 volunteer hours within South Korea.

Park Sang-kyu, CEO of SK Innovation and Head of SK Innovation Affiliates’ Volunteer Group, demonstrated genuine leadership by joining over 60 members in a blood donation campaign, underscoring his commitment to social responsibility.

Kim Wone-kee, CEO of SK Enmove, took part in the “Guardians of Biodiversity,” which focuses on preserving the environment. This program involves removing invasive species that threaten ecosystems and planting seeds to foster new life. Expanding on efforts from earlier this year, activities took place in Seoul’s Jamwon Hangang Park and Yuseongcheon in Daejeon. Removed plants were repurposed into compost, adding further value to the initiative. To make the experience more engaging, participants launched “flower seed airplanes” made of water-soluble paper and “seed bombs” containing seeds in soil balls, helping seeds naturally take root. Over five weeks, approximately 380 employees participated, learning about nature through hands-on restoration efforts.

Myeong Seong, CEO of SK Earthon, visited elderly individuals living alone with team members, creating joyful memories for them. He also frequently participated in the “Meal Sharing” initiative, a free meal distribution program, showcasing his leadership in promoting social value creation.

These efforts extended beyond V-Week, continuing throughout the second half of the year across various business sites. Roh Sang-goo, CEO of SK Incheon Petrochem, personally served meals to seniors during a summer healthy meal-sharing event and took part in community-driven initiatives like the Kimjang Festival in Incheon and the Simgokcheon river cleanup, further embodying the spirit of giving back.

■ Empowering Growth: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Since 2017, SK Innovation and its affiliates have been hosting the Great Music Festival (GMF) to support the social independence of individuals with developmental disabilities. On October 24, the 8^th GMF took place at the COEX Auditorium in Seoul, where six finalist teams showcased their musical talents. Myeong Seong, CEO of SK Earthon, along with members from SK Innovation affiliates, attended the event, uniting their voices to encourage these individuals in pursuing their dreams.

The “Happy Dream” program, which has supported children with developmental disabilities since 2016, received a revamp this year, drawing increased interest and participation from employees. The activities included a specialized handball curriculum developed in collaboration with the SK Sugar Gliders (SK’s women’s handball team) and faculty from the Korea National Sport University’s Special Physical Education Department, alongside movie screenings and field trips. Approximately 450 employees participated, fostering communication and meaningful connections with the children.

“Cinema Christmas” was another highlight, where children with developmental disabilities from special education schools in Seoul and Daejeon were paired with employees to enjoy animated movies, creating a memorable day for the children. In November, SK Sugar Gliders and SK Enmove employees plan to host a handball class aimed at enhancing the children’s physical abilities and social skills. Kim Wone-kee, CEO of SK Enmove, along with other employees, will participate as assistant instructors, enriching the experience for the children even further.

■ Empowering Dreams: Giving Children the Wings to Soar

On July 22, SK Innovation celebrated the 20^th anniversary of SK Volunteer Group with a ceremony at the SK Seorin Building in Seoul’s Jongno District. This event was a testament to the unwavering dedication of SK Innovation’s employees to volunteerism over the past two decades. During the ceremony, employees assembled over 1,000 “Happy Dream Boxes” filled with essentials for children at risk of hunger. Additionally, on July 22 and 23, many employees participated in a blood donation campaign, embodying the spirit of giving back to the community.

In collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, SK Innovation and its affiliates launched the “Wish Maker” program, which aims to positively impact the lives of children with critical illnesses by fulfilling their wishes. This year, 19 teams and over 130 employees took on the role of “Wish Angels,” granting wishes and offering hope and courage to both the children and their families.

The company is also advancing the “Happy Dream Library” project, designed to bridge the educational gap for children in rural areas and enhance their access to knowledge and information. Libraries are being established in 15 community centers nationwide, with reading instructors on hand to nurture a love for books among children. As part of this initiative, SK Innovation and its affiliates hosted a book donation campaign in September, encouraging employees to contribute to this heartfelt cause.

■ Creating Meaningful Memories: Family-Focused Volunteering

To help the next generation understand and practice the value of giving, SK Innovation and its affiliates offer volunteer programs that allow employees to participate alongside their families. One such initiative is “Voluntour,” a blend of “volunteer” and “tour,” which involves a volunteer-focused travel experience for employees and their families. During a Voluntour trip to Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province in September, employees and their children engaged in meaningful activities such as preparing meals and organizing birthday celebrations for local seniors. These experiences fostered a deeper sense of solidarity with the community.

Following a special baking class in the first half of the year, a second session was held on October 19 at a cooking studio in Sinchon, Seoul. This event featured “Baking Cookies, Just The Way They Are” with Yoo Yeon-su, a former player for K League 1’s Jeju United FC, aimed at raising awareness about disabilities. Just as we all have different heights, participants learned that people with disabilities are unique individuals with their own characteristics by creating cookies in various doll shapes. Around 40 family members of SK Innovation employees joined the class, gaining a deeper appreciation for diversity and learning to embrace differences.

■ Expanding Global Impact: SK Innovation Group’s Positive Influence

Global employees at 32 overseas operation sites across 17 countries are consistently engaged in social contribution activities. Despite differences in language and culture, they unite under a shared sense of sincerity to spread warmth worldwide through initiatives such as environmental cleanups, blood donations, and charitable contributions.

At SK Earthon’s Ho Chi Minh branch, employees are involved in the “Library of Dreams” project aimed at fostering healthy reading habits among children across Vietnam. On the other side of the globe, in the United States, SK Geo Centric Americas supported meal-sharing initiatives to aid those experiencing homelessness, and SK Enmove Americas contributed to local Food Banks, offering help to neighbors in need.

ILBOC (Iberian Lube Base Oils Company), a joint venture between SK Enmove and the global energy company Repsol, has provided electronic devices to support the digitization of files and teaching materials for Agrupación Musical La Unión, a nonprofit music school. Additionally, the company has supported a summer camp organized by a children’s association, enabling individuals with cognitive disabilities to enjoy recreational and cultural experiences during the holiday season

Patra SK, a joint venture between SK Enmove and Indonesia’s state-owned oil company Pertamina, operates over ten CSR programs designed to support local communities. These initiatives encompass a wide range of activities, including scholarships, technical training, renovation of community facilities, and environmental improvements at orphanages.

■ Collective Actions Drive Changes Around the World

This year, approximately 10,000 executives and employees from SK Innovation and its affiliates, both domestically and internationally, participated in a wide array of volunteer activities, making a significant positive impact worldwide. SK Innovation has also continued its “1% Happiness Sharing Fund” initiative, where employees donate 1% of their monthly base salary, matched by the company through a matching grant program. By October, this fund had amassed KRW 2.8 billion, facilitating ongoing support for initiatives like covering medical expenses for children with severe illnesses, such as pediatric cancer, and providing or repairing prosthetics. This year, the fund expanded its reach to further support future generations, including new programs for young adults preparing for independence, assistance for children in family care situations, wish fulfillment for children with critical illnesses, and the establishment of libraries at regional community centers.

SK Innovation and its affiliates have united with a shared mission, combining volunteerism and social contribution initiatives funded by donations to create a positive societal impact.

The social contribution efforts of SK Innovation and its affiliates go beyond mere numbers, embodying a profound commitment to meaningful change. These initiatives are a testament to the sincere dedication of employees and symbolize a proactive vision for a brighter future. The company remains committed to ensuring that more members of society can experience happiness, unwavering in its pursuit of significant and lasting change.