Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
Woori Financial Group promotes inclusive finance at APEC meetings amid global ESG drive
Woori Financial Group Chairman Yim Jong-yong / Courtesy of Woori Financial Group
By Lee Kyung-min
Woori Financial Group is strengthening efforts to promote 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events in cooperation with the government’s preparatory committee, solidifying its global standing as a leading financial group in Korea and the sole financial institution to join the government’s promotion drive.
Woori’s involvement in the high-profile event reflects a broader shift in the financial sector’s role in social inclusion and sustainable development.
The group’s campaign was first announced in August when it signed a memorandum of understanding with the finance ministry-led preparatory committee to serve as the official promotional partner for the 2025 APEC events.
The company has since installed both traditional and digital signboards at its headquarters in Seoul, at Woori Bank branches nationwide and at outdoor venues around Incheon International Airport to raise awareness of the global event.
A Woori Financial Group booth is set up for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting and Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting at Inspire Resort in Incheon, Wednesday. Courtesy of Woori Financial Group
Woori said its participation underscores its continued efforts to strengthen group-wide advocacy for inclusive and sustainable finance, advancing the country’s and the group’s leadership in social responsibility and environmental, social and governance (ESG) innovation.
“Woori is the only financial group to serve as an official promotional partner for APEC 2025, highlighting our brand power as a leading Korean financial institution with a renewed focus on ESG values. We will continue to work to raise awareness of the core APEC 2025 values — connect, innovate and prosper — to audiences around the world,” the group said.
The latest campaign effort involved sharing the group’s flagship inclusive finance and social innovation initiatives during the 2025 APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting and Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting, held at the Inspire Resort in Incheon from Monday to Thursday. The four-day event is hosted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
At its exhibition booth, Woori presented a range of inclusive financial initiatives, including its WON biz plaza platform and the Goodwill branch models.
The platform provides consulting and financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, including finance, accounting and technology developments.
The Goodwill initiative was introduced as an inclusive finance model, recognized by Goodwill Industries International (GII) as a benchmark for creating jobs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
It is the first Korean financial institution to receive such recognition from Goodwill’s U.S. headquarters, which is considering global adoption of the model across the Goodwill network of over 160 branch affiliates and over 3,300 stores worldwide.
Goodwill stores hire individuals with developmental disabilities, using proceeds from selling goods donated by businesses and individuals. In Korea, over 500 individuals with developmental disabilities work at 46 Goodwill stores.