The Yoonkyung Forum, hosted by the Industrial Policy Research Institute and Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies, held its 23rd CEO ethics pledge ceremony on Wednesday at the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall in Seoul, organizers said.
Held under the theme “the convergence of AI and ESG,” the event drew about 100 leaders from private companies, public institutions, government and civil society. Participants discussed strategies that combine AI-driven innovation with ESG management and pledged to put them into practice.
Organizers said the gathering underscored that strengthening ethical management with AI and building ESG competitiveness are key factors shaping the future competitiveness of South Korean companies. They noted that ESG is moving beyond declarations toward data-based execution and verification, and that combining AI with ESG is increasingly seen as a driver of competitiveness and sustainable growth.
In a video message, the prime minister called the ceremony a meaningful occasion to reaffirm the idea that “ethics is competitiveness,” and said AI is opening a new chapter for ESG management. The prime minister said ESG is developing toward transparent, data-based verification, and that market trust is concentrating on companies that grow in sustainable ways. The prime minister added that the convergence of AI and ESG will be a key engine for competitiveness and sustainable growth, and said the government would support efforts to further embed ethical management in the AI era.
A congratulatory address by the chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission followed. The chairperson emphasized that responsible management grounded in ethics, fairness and transparency strengthens trust and provides a foundation for sustainable growth, and stressed the importance of public and private sectors working together to spread a culture of ethical management.
The event was moderated by Kang Shin-sook, former head of SH Suhyup Bank, and included welcoming and congratulatory remarks, an awards presentation, a calligraphy performance, a CEO ethics pledge and a group recitation of “Our Pledge,” followed by a commemorative photo. Attendees agreed that ethical management is not optional but a necessary strategy for sustainable growth and public trust.
An awards ceremony for the sixth annual contest recognizing institutions with strong ethical-management practices was held alongside the event. The contest, held annually since 2021, aims to identify organizations that have embedded ethical management institutionally and culturally, establish social standards and spread best practices. This year’s winners were Korea Ginseng Corp., Korea Water Resources Corp., Merz Aesthetics Korea, Korea Ocean Business Corp., KEPCO KPS and Korea Land & Housing Corp.
Founded in 2003, the Yoonkyung Forum has promoted seminars, research and campaigns under the principle that “ethics is competitiveness.” Organizers said the 23rd CEO pledge ceremony and the contest again highlighted the forum’s role as a platform for cooperation to strengthen ethical and ESG management suited to the AI era and to bolster the global competitiveness of South Korean companies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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