MOTIE held ‘2025 Public-Private Joint Seminar’

Strengthening ESG Management for Sustainable Growth   

- OECD RBC Guidelines, ESG Regulatory Trends, and Corporate Response -

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), led by Minister Kim Jung-Kwan, held the ‘2025 Public-Private Joint Seminar on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC)’ on July 31 (Thursday) at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). 

The seminar, which was jointly organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB), the Korean Bar Association (KBA) and the UN Global Compact Korea Network (UNGC Korea), was attended by around 200 participants both online and in person, including representatives from overseas Korean companies and ESG experts.

* Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) refers to a set of voluntary principles under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, whereby companies are expected to contribute to economic and social development, avoid causing adverse impacts and address such impacts when they occur. The Government of Korea has established and operates a National Contact Point (NCP) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) to implement the Guidelines.

The seminar was organized to share key elements of the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct and global ESG regulatory trends, including those in the EU and the United States, with participation from OECD and domestic ESG experts, and to explore effective public-private cooperation measures.

An OECD representative outlined the key elements of the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct. Mr. Jiheon Oh, a non-governmental member of the Korean NCP Committee, presented on the activities of the Korean NCP and specific instances related to multinational enterprises’ compliance with the Guidelines.

Mr. Sungtaek Lim of the KBA emphasized that ESG management can enable new business growth models through cost reduction and improved efficiency over the medium to long term. Ms. Sori Kim, a labor attorney, addressed key human rights due diligence issues both at home and abroad, along with corporate response strategies. Ms. Dajung Hyun of KOTRA outlined major EU trade policies and the K-ESG Guidelines, as well as relevant strategies for companies to respond effectively.

During the panel discussion, experts analyzed the potential impact of strengthening ESG regulations on Korean companies and continued to explore corresponding response strategies. 

In his opening remarks, Mr. Beopmin Yoo, Director General for Investment Policy, stated, “As ESG regulations continue to intensify and supply chain due diligence requirements expand, the government will strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises within the supply chain and maintain close communication with industry stakeholders.”