Hwayo soju sponsors '2026 815 Run,' continuing Liberation Day legacy after 'Hwayo 1945' release

Hwayo, a distilled soju brand, announced Wednesday that it is sponsoring the "2026 815 Run," a charity marathon campaign organized by Habitat for Humanity Korea, in observance of Liberation Day.

The 815 Run is a charity marathon campaign run jointly by Habitat for Humanity Korea and singer Shin, launched in 2020 to honor the spirit of Liberation Day and express gratitude for the sacrifices of independence activists. Proceeds from registration fees and corporate sponsorships go toward improving the residential conditions of descendants of independence movement figures.

Hwayo joined the campaign to continue its charitable activities following last year's release of "Hwayo 1945," a special limited-edition product developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans. The bottle's name and 45-percent alcohol content both referenced 1945, the year of Korea's liberation. Hwayo subsequently donated about 5 percent of sales proceeds to "Modu-ui Bohun Dream," a support fund for national merit recipients.

Hwayo is a brand that has consistently carried forward the tradition of Korean distilled soju into the modern era, using 100 percent domestically grown rice and traditional onggi earthenware aging methods.

"Hwayo is a brand that has revived the tradition of Korean distilled soju — a tradition that had faded over time — and brought it back as a living part of today's culture," a company official said. "We will consistently continue activities that remember the roots of our history and culture and pass their value on to the next generation."