Shin Min-a Has Given Over W1 Billion to Charity

Star actress Shin Min-a has donated more than W1 billion to charity over the years, forming part of an international trend by the very rich to give away their earnings (US$1=W1,161).

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was widely said to be the latest prominent face of the trend. Announcing the birth of a baby daughter on Monday, Zuckerberg vowed to give to charity 99 percent of the shares he and his wife own in Facebook.

In Korea, prominent charitable donors include singer Insooni, Girls' Generation member Lim Yoona, Bae Suzy of girl group miss A and actress Su-ae are also gaining attention for donating generously to charity.

Shin has donated more than W700 million to the Community Chest of Korea since 2008, at a rate of W2 million a month and more at the end of each year.

Shin kept the donations a secret until recently. "I didn't want others to find out about it, but when people did find out I thought maybe it would motivate more people to give money to charity", she said.

The actress has donated money to help children, multicultural families and senior citizens living alone.

She also donated W50 million to the pediatrics ward at Seoul National University Hospital and around W300 million to a civic group helping children of North Korean defectors. Her donations total more than W1 billion.

Shin said, "Donating money is something that is very meaningful to me. I hope more people will take part".