Olympic gold medalists’ parents rewarded by employers

Park Ok-cheon, second from left in the right photo, the father of Park Tae-joon, in the left photo, who won the gold medal in the men’s taekwondo competition of the Paris Olympics, receives congratulatory rewards from Maeil Dairies at the company’s office in Seoul, Aug. 8. Courtesy of Maeil Dairies

By Ko Dong-hwan

Two Korean gold medalists from the Paris Olympics are in the spotlight once more, as the country’s leading food companies have celebrated the athletes’ parents — who are employed by these firms — with generous rewards.

Park Ok-cheon, the father of Park Tae-joon, who won gold in the men’s 58-kilogram taekwondo category on Aug. 8, was honored by Maeil Dairies on Monday. As one of Korea’s largest dairy producers, Maeil Dairies invited the elder Park to its Seoul office and presented him with rewards in recognition of his son’s achievement.

The rewards included Maeil Dairies’ nutrition supplement products, such as Selex Profit protein drinks, valued at 60 million won ($44,000), as well as a congratulatory monetary gift. According to the company, these supplements will be sufficient to support the 20-year-old athlete’s training and preparation for the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles over the next four years.

The athlete’s father works for M’s Bakers, a subsidiary of Maeil Dairies that specializes in dessert products.

M’s Bakers President Cho Seong-hyung said it is an honor for the company to be associated with Park’s remarkable achievement. He added that M’s Bakers will continue to support the athlete’s health and development.

Park said his son may have built up his strength thanks to the company’s milk and dairy products that he has been consuming.

Ourhome Vice Chairman Lee Young-yeol, left, poses with Lee Jung-seon at the company’s office in Seoul, Aug. 5, after presenting her with a scholarship fund for her daughter, Ban Hyo-jin, inset. Ban won a gold medal in the women’s 10-meter air rifle in Paris Olympics. Courtesy of Ourhome

Teen shooter Ban Hyo-jin, who won gold in the women’s 10-meter air rifle event on July 29, prompted Ourhome to arrange a meeting with her mother, Lee Jung-seon. The company, which specializes in food ingredient supply and canteen meal services, invited Lee to its Seoul office on Aug. 5. During the visit, Vice Chairman Lee Young-yeol presented her with a scholarship fund and a bouquet.

The athlete’s mother has been employed with the company for 10 years. The vice chairman remarked that she “raised a remarkable daughter while working for the company.”

The vice chairman made his first public appearance since being appointed to the role by his wife, Koo Mi-hyeon, the company’s chairman, in June.