Korean Red Cross
The Korean Red Cross is South Korea's national humanitarian society, delivering statutory blood supply management, disaster relief, safety education, volunteer coordination, and hospital services through 16 regional branches, a national mobile blood donation fleet, and 5+ hospitals, funded primarily by donations and membership fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1905
- HeadquartersWonju, South Korea
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Korean Red Cross does
The Korean Red Cross (대한적십자사) is South Korea's national humanitarian society, established in 1905 and headquartered in Wonju, Gangwon-do, with additional Seoul offices and a Seoul Red Cross Hospital. Operating as a non-profit under Korean law, it holds a statutory mandate for national blood supply management and serves as Korea's principal disaster relief organization. Its core service portfolio spans blood collection and supply via the Blood Management Headquarters (bloodinfo.net) and mobile blood donation buses, disaster relief and psychological recovery, safety education (997 sessions reaching 23,431 students in Jeonbuk in 2025), Red Cross Youth (RCY) programs, volunteer coordination, separated-family reunion services between South and North Korea, and public healthcare delivered through a network of 5+ hospitals (Seoul, Incheon, Sangju, Geochang, Tongyeong, Youngju) plus the Gyeongin Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. The organization operates a nationwide infrastructure of 16 regional branches, specialized centers including the APDRC (Asia-Pacific Disaster Resilience Center) and IHL Research Institute, and is affiliated with the International Red Cross movement through the ICRC and IFRC.
KRC is funded through individual and corporate donations, periodic membership fees (적십자회비), corporate ESG partnerships via the 쌕쌕이가 바른기업 monthly donation program, and hospital service revenue — services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries at point of delivery. Its 2026 technology-led product launch, the Galaxy XR-powered blood donation experience developed with Samsung and Abbott using Android XR headsets with therapeutic acoustic environments from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, represents a notable modernization of donor engagement and was showcased internationally at AWE Long Beach and the ISBT Congress in Kuala Lumpur. The organization is governed by a central committee; Ihn Yo-han (John Linton) was elected as the 32nd Chairman in June 2022, with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung serving as honorary president. KRC is a member society of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, participating in coordinated international disaster response and disbursing approximately 288.6억 원 (~$21M USD) in aid to Ukraine refugees and 5 Asia-Pacific countries.
Korean Red Cross firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Korean Red Cross
- Legal name
- Korean Red Cross (대한적십자사)
- Website
- https://redcross.or.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1905
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The Korean Red Cross is South Korea's national humanitarian society, delivering statutory blood supply management, disaster relief, safety education, volunteer coordination, and hospital services through 16 regional branches, a national mobile blood donation fleet, and 5+ hospitals, funded primarily by donations and membership fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Korean Red Cross industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Humanitarian Services
- NAICS
- Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE), Resettlement, Relocation & Repatriation Support (BPADAHAD)
Keywords
Where Korean Red Cross is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wonju
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices15 records
Markets served
Korean Red Cross business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Red Cross Membership Fees (적십자회비): Individual members pay periodic membership fees (적십자회비) that form a core funding stream. Members can join as general members or corporate members. Revenue supports domestic disaster relief, welfare for vulnerable populations, international aid, and healthcare programs.
- Individual and Corporate Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals and corporations, including disaster-specific fundraising campaigns (e.g., Venezuela earthquake, Philippines earthquake, Middle East crisis 2026, Ukraine emergency). Corporate ESG partnerships via the '씀씀이가 바른기업' monthly donation program.
- Blood Donation Services: Blood collection and supply services, supported by mobile donation buses visiting corporations and communities. Revenue supports operational costs of the Blood Management Headquarters (혈액관리본부).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | General Individual Membership – free or low-cost participation |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Korean Red Cross product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Korean Red Cross is South Korea's national humanitarian society that delivers disaster relief, national blood supply management, public healthcare through affiliated hospitals, safety and first aid education, separated family reunion services between South and North Korea, and youth humanitarian programs (RCY). Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries and funded through membership fees, individual/corporate donations, and government support. The organization operates 16 regional branches, 5 hospitals, a blood management headquarters, and specialized centers for disaster psychological recovery and international humanitarian law.
Product overview
Korean Red Cross operates as a unified humanitarian organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of services organized around disaster relief, blood services, safety education, youth programs (RCY), and community volunteering. The main services include blood donation management with mobile blood donation buses, disaster relief and emergency response, safety education and first aid training, Red Cross Youth programs for youth engagement, volunteer coordination, family separation services for separated families, and public healthcare through affiliated hospitals. The Galaxy XR-powered blood donation experience represents a technology-enabled innovation in their blood donation services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Blood Services (혈액사업)
- Disaster Relief (재난구호)
- Safety Education (안전교육)
- RCY (Red Cross Youth) Program
- Volunteer Services (사회봉사)
- Family Separation Services (이산가족사업)
- Healthcare Services (공공의료사업)
- Galaxy XR Blood Donation Experience
Quantifiable outcome
- 288.6억 원 in international aid provided to Ukraine refugees and 5 Asia-Pacific disaster-affected countries
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Korean Red Cross
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Korean Red Cross technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature1 record
Korean Red Cross partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.
- Korea Zinc Onsan SmelterminorKorea Zinc Onsan Smelter donated 100 million won to the Ulsan branch of the Korean Red Cross to fund community welfare projects including emergency support for crisis families, safety education for children and teenagers, senior citizen activities, and dementia prevention kits.
- Samsung ElectronicsflagshipSamsung partnered with Abbott and the Korean Red Cross to conduct Korea's first XR-powered blood donation campaign at Samsung Digital City in Suwon on June 2, 2026 (World Blood Donor Day). Donors wore Galaxy XR headsets powered by Android XR experiencing an immersive Zen garden meditation environment with music from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Samsung plans to showcase the technology at AWE in Long Beach and ISBT Congress in Kuala Lumpur.
- AbbottflagshipAbbott partnered with Samsung and the Korean Red Cross for the XR-powered blood donation campaign. Abbott brings an established blood donation program spanning nearly 30 countries since 2016, contributing healthcare expertise and global blood donation best practices to the initiative.
- GS GlobalminorGS Global held a blood donation campaign at its Seoul headquarters using a Korean Red Cross mobile blood donation bus to help stabilize blood supplies during winter shortages. CEO Kim Sung-won and employees participated.
- Kiwoom SecuritiesminorKiwoom Securities conducted its third annual employee blood donation campaign 'Kiwoom and Fill 3', with the Korean Red Cross blood donation bus visiting the company's Mapo and Yeouido offices in Seoul. Part of Kiwoom's ESG management initiatives.
- NexonminorNexon donated all proceeds from its 'Blue Archive' subculture game 'Saving Lives Together!' campaign, conducted in collaboration with the Korean Red Cross. Special merchandise featuring 'Relief Knights' characters was sold, with thank-you events in April, June, and August attracting more than 31,000 participants.
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)coreThe Korean Red Cross is a member of the global Red Cross movement and works with ICRC on international humanitarian law, disaster relief coordination, and humanitarian standards. Joint exhibitions on Geneva Conventions history have been held.
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)coreThe Korean Red Cross participates in IFRC-coordinated international disaster relief and development cooperation programs, including support for Nepal (water and sanitation) and Bangladesh (disaster risk reduction).
- Swiss Embassy in KoreaminorThe Seoul Museum of History and the International Committee of the Red Cross opened a joint exhibition 'Even Wars Have Limits' in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy in Korea, marking the 60th anniversary of Korea's accession to the Geneva Conventions.
- Korean Red Cross Blood Management Headquarters (혈액관리본부)coreIntegrated blood management division of the Korean Red Cross, maintaining the national blood supply information portal (bloodinfo.net), coordinating mobile blood donation, and managing blood collection and distribution nationwide.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Korean Red Cross competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Australian Red Cross: The Australian national Red Cross society with a similar service mix including blood services, international humanitarian programs, and emergency relief. Comparable on the integrated blood management + humanitarian services model.
- Canadian Red Cross: Canada's national Red Cross society, operating disaster management, international development, and health programs. Comparable on the multi-mandate national society structure with strong international programming.
- American Red Cross: The US national Red Cross society and the largest in the global movement. Comparable on the full humanitarian service portfolio (blood services, disaster relief, training, international programs) and on the statutory partnership model with government.
- Japanese Red Cross Society: The Japanese national Red Cross society, the closest geographic and operational peer to KRC. Operates an equivalent statutory mandate, blood services network, hospital system, and disaster relief infrastructure in a similar East Asian context, making it directly comparable on scale, regulatory position, and service mix.
- British Red Cross: The UK national Red Cross society, providing disaster response, refugee services, and independent health and social care. Comparable as a national society with a strong refugee/migration program—relevant to KRC's separated family work.
- German Red Cross (DRK): Germany's national Red Cross society, one of the largest in Europe with an integrated network of blood services, hospitals, elder care, and disaster response. Comparable in scale, hospital ownership, and comprehensive welfare mandate.
Others
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders): A globally leading medical humanitarian NGO. Not a direct peer, but adjacent—MSF competes for donor mindshare in international humanitarian medical relief and provides a useful benchmark for KRC's international health programs.
Regional players
- Singapore Red Cross: The Singapore national Red Cross society, a smaller-scale regional peer focused on blood programme, first aid training, and humanitarian aid. Comparable on the Asia-Pacific regional humanitarian context and similar service mix.
- Taiwan Red Cross: The Taiwan national Red Cross organization, comparable to KRC as an East Asian national society offering blood services, disaster relief, and international humanitarian programs in a culturally similar environment.
Broad incumbents
- IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies): The umbrella organization coordinating 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. KRC is a direct member and partner of IFRC, which sets global humanitarian standards and channels multilateral funding—relevant for understanding KRC's international funding and program structure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Korean Red Cross social profiles
Digital presenceKorean Red Cross financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Korean Red Cross leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Korean Red Cross subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries16 records
Korean Red Cross funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Korean Red Cross M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Korean Red Cross
What does Korean Red Cross do?
The Korean Red Cross is South Korea's national humanitarian society that delivers disaster relief, national blood supply management, public healthcare through affiliated hospitals, safety and first aid education, separated family reunion services between South and North Korea, and youth humanitarian programs (RCY). Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries and funded through membership fees, individual/corporate donations, and government support. The organization operates 16 regional branches, 5 hospitals, a blood management headquarters, and specialized centers for disaster psychological recovery and international humanitarian law.
Is Korean Red Cross a public or private company?
Korean Red Cross is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Korean Red Cross founded?
Korean Red Cross was founded in 1905. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Korean Red Cross based?
Korean Red Cross is headquartered in Wonju, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Korean Red Cross make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Red Cross Membership Fees (적십자회비) is the primary driver. The others are individual and Corporate Donations and blood Donation Services.
Who are Korean Red Cross's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Australian Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, American Red Cross, Japanese Red Cross Society, British Red Cross and German Red Cross (DRK). Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) is listed as an others. Regional players are Singapore Red Cross and Taiwan Red Cross. IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Korean Red Cross have an API?
No public API is recorded for Korean Red Cross.
What industry is Korean Red Cross in?
Korean Red Cross's product category is Humanitarian Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAAAC, Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI), with a secondary code of BPAGAAAH, Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance. Its NAICS code is 624230 and its SIC code is 8300.