Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, sixth from left, makes kimchi with executives of the group as part of the annual ESG festival at the firm's headquarters in downtown Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

Hana Financial Group started its environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) festival this year, in which all employees participate in various volunteer activities for two months to fulfill their social responsibility and share the group's social value achievements over the past year.

Marking its 14th anniversary this year, the event kicked off on Monday with Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo announcing the start of the festival.

"I hope Hana Financial Group's sincerity toward neighbors in need will shine in every corner of society," he said.

The group introduced its project of building 100 child care centers around the country, a project it has been working on for the past six years to address the nation's low birthrate issue. It also shared key social value achievements for the year, such as prevention of illegal gambling among teenagers, support for small businesses and creation of youth employment opportunities.

The chairman and other executives and employees also made kimchi, which was donated to a child care facility in central Seoul.