K-pop girl group (G)I-dle has donated 50 million won (RM167,000) to the Korean Red Cross after a controversy over the use of the Red Cross emblem on its stage costumes.
The Korean Red Cross said on July 29 that the five members of the group – Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua – have each donated 10 million won to flood relief efforts.
South Korea was recently hit by record torrential rains, with the Korean Red Cross continuing with its relief and recovery efforts in various parts of the country.
“We hope that the disaster victims find comfort and can return to their daily lives as soon as possible through the humanitarian activities of the Red Cross,” (G)I-dle said, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
Kim Chul-soo, chairman of the Korean Red Cross, said: “As a statutory disaster management agency and relief support organisation, the Korean Red Cross will do its best to help with the recovery efforts.”
(G)I-dle was criticised more than a week ago after its members wore costumes with the word “Lifeguard” and the Red Cross symbol. The ladies were performing their new song Klaxon on South Korean music programme Music Bank on July 19.
According to Article 25 of the Organisation of the Republic of Korea National Red Cross Act, a person who is not from the Red Cross is barred from using the Red Cross emblem or a similar symbol for business or advertising purposes without approval from the humanitarian organisation or a military medical institution. Offenders can be fined up to 10 million won.
(G)I-dle’s agency Cube Entertainment said after the incident that it has apologised to the Korean Red Cross. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
