"Helping those in difficult circumstances continue their education through scholarships is the essence of my grandfather's spirit," said Jang Hye-sun, chairperson of the Lotte Scholarship Foundation, during a press conference following the '2026 Shin Kyuk-ho Lotte Job Seeker Scholarship Ceremony' held on July 14 at the Lotte Retail Academy in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. She emphasized that the foundation's scholarship program is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Shin Kyuk-ho, the late honorary chairman of the Lotte Group and her grandfather.
On this day, 250 job seekers aspiring to enter the media and journalism fields gathered despite the challenging job market. Jang not only presented scholarships but also offered warm encouragement and practical advice to the youth.
"Today's young people possess skills far superior to previous generations due to advancements in digital technology, including artificial intelligence. However, it is unfortunate that they are not achieving the results they desire due to the economic downturn," she said. "The pressure you face in carving out your own path is likely comparable to that of high school seniors preparing for college entrance exams." She added, "In a world where lifelong jobs are no longer guaranteed, I hope you will become resilient members of society who seize opportunities. The foundation supports your growth."
The Shin Kyuk-ho Lotte Job Seeker Scholarship, which began in 2019, is now in its eighth year. To date, it has provided approximately 5.7 billion won to around 5,100 job seekers. This year, the foundation is offering 100,000 won each to 250 students and recent graduates from four-year universities nationwide who aspire to work in media and journalism, totaling 3.1 billion won in living expenses. The selection criteria are limited to socially disadvantaged groups, including multicultural families, North Korean defectors, and single-parent households.
In addition to financial support, the foundation has actively incorporated feedback from previous participants to enhance the program. The curriculum has been significantly refined to include tailored workshops for various desired job roles, such as reporters, producers, announcers, and marketing professionals. Notably, alumni who successfully secured jobs in the field within the past year are serving as mentors, sharing insights on the latest hiring trends and practical know-how to maximize motivation.
Voices from the scholarship recipients reflected the positive changes brought about by the foundation's support. Lee Jung-min, a fourth-year student on leave preparing for a career in journalism, shared, "Initially, I was preparing for a corporate job using my business major, but I realized I wanted to pursue my passion in media. Transitioning to a career in journalism came with its own challenges, particularly the lack of information."
Lee added, "I had to increase my part-time work hours to cover living expenses, but thanks to the scholarship, I can now focus entirely on my job search and studies, which has been a relief. I aspire to become a journalist who contributes to creating responsible media."
The Lotte Scholarship Foundation plans to continue improving its programs based on the feedback from scholarship recipients. Jang urged participants to provide feedback after the program, stating, "Thanks to last year's suggestions, we were able to make changes this year, and I hope to keep communicating with the scholars to create more beneficial educational opportunities."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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