On August 3, 2026, South Korean media JoongAng Ilbo reported that South Korea's largest airline, Korean Air, delivered 12,000 bottles of mineral water to the victims of the Kumamoto Earthquake.

On the 28th of last month, an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 was observed in Kumamoto Prefecture, and over 8,000 people have been evacuated in Kumamoto Prefecture, with water outages continuing in over 45,000 households.

According to the article, Korean Air, in response to these circumstances, announced that it donated a total of 12,000 1.5L PET bottles of its own brand of mineral water to the victims. These relief supplies were transported on the afternoon of the 1st by cargo plane KE557 from Incheon Airport to Kitakyushu. From Kitakyushu Airport, they were transported by land to the earthquake-affected areas of Kumamoto Prefecture and are expected to be used as drinking water for the victims.

Regarding this, comments from Korean netizens included: 'I think Korean Air did a good deed,' 'Other companies and individuals should also participate in the support,' 'Since Korean Air also operates flights to Kumamoto, I think it's natural for them to do what they can,' 'An earthquake with a seismic intensity of 7, it's terrifying and unimaginable. I hope secondary damage can be suppressed even a little,' 'It's so hot, and there's a water outage, what can they do?' 'I think it's very difficult, but I hope they take care not to get heatstroke,' and 'I pray that those affected can return to their daily lives as soon as possible.'

On the other hand, comments such as: 'Japan must have plenty of mineral water, so why bother bringing it from Korea to donate?' 'Wouldn't financial aid have been better than goods?' 'If it were Korea, I think a large amount of relief supplies would have arrived by now, but is Japan different?' and 'I hope they also consider support for domestic disasters in Korea and improving employee treatment, as much as their kindness towards external matters' were also seen.