Reading Coaching Program for Children from Low-Income Families
(Sumitomo Corporation Korea)

SOUTH KOREA

Sumitomo Corporation Korea supports the education of children who will shape tomorrow by helping run a reading coaching program for low-income families in Seoul’s Dongdaemun District.

Expanding future possibilities through books
The Reading Coaching program supported by Sumitomo Corporation Korea

A project to support children’s learning is underway in Seoul’s Dongdaemun District. The Reading Coaching program supported by Sumitomo Corporation Korea focuses on elementary and middle school students from low-income households. Through reading, it helps them develop the ability to think independently and express their ideas in words. Building on long-standing ties with the local community, the program is exploring new approaches to educational support.

Educational support rooted in community ties

Sumitomo Corporation Korea began its engagement with Dongdaemun District in 2019. The Cheongnyangni-dong, an area within Dongdaemun, has many low-income households, and employees have carried out annual support activities, delivering instant noodles and kimchi to families in need. Building on the trust established with local government and social welfare organizations through these efforts, the company began supporting the Reading Coaching program in 2023 as part of the 100SEED initiative focused on education.
This program is run as a committee in collaboration with Dongdaemun District authorities, reading coaches, and the company managing the dedicated website. Coaches select “100 Must-Read Books for Youth” and post them online. Each month, children choose books from the list and request either physical or digital copies. After reading, they submit reviews, and coaches provide email guidance as needed. Children who submit reviews receive feedback and a gift certificate worth about 1,000 yen. In 2024, 179 reviews were submitted and 670,000 yen in gift certificates distributed. In 2025, 25 elementary and middle school students are participating. Sumitomo Corporation Korea donates half of the annual budget to ensure the program continues.

A new approach to learning that connects Korea and Japan

This program helps children develop a reading habit, experience the joy of learning, boost their sense of self-efficacy, and envision their dreams. Stakeholders, including local government, strongly request continued support. Currently, however, the program is mostly monitored through written reports, so Sumitomo Corporation Korea staff have limited opportunities to see firsthand which books children choose and what they write in their reviews.
The challenge ahead is to go beyond donations by involving employees and creating opportunities for direct interaction with the children. From next fiscal year onward, the company plans to explore online exchanges related to reading coaching and other unique contributions that leverage Sumitomo Corporation Korea’s strengths.
For example, the company is developing new business initiatives to introduce Japanese IP content in Korea. Building on this, future possibilities include combining educational support with cultural exchange, such as employees teaching Japanese or introducing Japanese content. Sharing Japanese culture and history can provide valuable learning experiences for children and spark interest in Japan and trading companies. In the future, children who grow through this program may even join Sumitomo Corporation.

Employee Voices
Closing the distance to get more employees involved

Employees are busy with their core work, so getting them involved in new activities is not easy. However, even after shifting from mandatory to voluntary participation in 2025, about 80% still joined in distributing instant noodles and kimchi. Many employees want to contribute to society in a way that goes beyond donations. Turning that desire into action is where CSR managers can truly demonstrate their skills.
There is still much to do. Planting seeds takes time before they sprout, but we aim to continue steadily for 10 or 20 years, deepening the roots of social contribution.

The commitment to shaping the future through education is alive in Korea and steadily moving forward.