Korean Air recently carried out a series of volunteer and environmental initiatives in Nepal and Mongolia, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to the global communities it serves.

From May 19 to 24, members of one of Korean Air’s in-house volunteer groups traveled to Chitwan, Nepal - located about 150 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu - to support a local children’s daycare center. While the region is known for its rich natural environment and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it continues to face critical shortages in basic infrastructure such as electricity, gas, healthcare and education.
The 22-member volunteer team, including airline employees and their family members, installed drainage equipment to provide a stable supply of clean drinking water. They also performed maintenance and repair work on the center’s playground and aging facilities. A special community event was held where volunteers served meals, played games and distributed school supplies. To help address health challenges linked to the region’s hot and humid climate, the team donated nutritional supplements, fever reducers, ointments and deworming medications.

Today, 25 employee-led volunteer groups are active across the company, regularly offering support at orphanages, care facilities for the elderly and centers for people with disabilities.

In Mongolia, Korean Air organized a two-week reforestation initiative on May 19 at its “Korean Air Forest” in Baganuur, Ulaanbaatar. This year, over 260 new and current employees from both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines joined, highlighting the growing spirit of unity between the two carriers. To foster mutual understanding and collaboration, Korean Air employees traveled on Asiana Airlines flights, while Asiana staff boarded Korean Air flights.

The event began with the planting of two symbolic pine trees, representing the shared prosperity and future of the merged airlines. Volunteers then planted saplings and carried out pruning work to support the growth of the forest, an initiative Korean Air has spearheaded since 2004. The Korean Air Forest now spans 44 hectares and is home to over 125,000 trees across 12 species. The forest serves as a protective barrier against dust from nearby coal mines and helps enhance air quality for the local community.

In celebration of Mongolia’s Children’s Day (June 1), Korean Air also installed a new playground within the forest, ensuring a safe and enjoyable space for local children. Employees participated in the final safety checks and painting to complete the project. Additionally, volunteers visited nearby Gun-galutai and Bolovsrol National Schools, leading interactive Korean, English and aviation engineering classes. These schools are part of Korean Air’s broader educational outreach, which has included the donation of computer classrooms to under-resourced institutions since 2013.

“For the past 21 years, Korean Air has remained dedicated to reforestation efforts in Mongolia to combat desertification,” said a Korean Air spokesperson. “As a global airline, we will continue to fulfill our corporate social responsibilities and extend a helping hand.”