Korea Times Forum to highlight value of diversity, equity, inclusion
From left, Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Kang Jung-ai; Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Mi-ryung; and SMEs and Startups Minister Oh Young-ju / Courtesy of the ministries
The Korea Times will host a forum next week to explore the increasing importance of diversity, inclusivity and equality in Korean society. The forum will be held at Seoul's Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday.
Under the title "Toward diversity, inclusiveness and equality," the forum aims to delve into policies and support measures necessary to enhance these values in the country's public and private sectors.
By inviting top policymakers of the country as speakers, along with leaders from various sectors of the vibrant economy joining the discussion as panelists and moderators, the forum plans to share valuable insights on achieving balanced representation and diversity.
Gender balance is crucial in the public sphere to foster an inclusive social atmosphere that respects diverse perspectives, thereby maximizing human potential and creativity. In the private sector, women's skills and economic participation are all the more essential for achieving better management outcomes. These discussions are especially significant in Korea, where the gender wage gap remains one of the highest among OECD countries.
Rep. Lee Jun-seok
Three incumbent women ministers — Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Kang Jung-ai, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Mi-ryung and SMEs and Startups Minister Oh Young-ju — will deliver congratulatory speeches at the forum. They will outline the government's policy goals for promoting social inclusiveness and balanced gender representation.
After the ministers' speeches, Reform Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok, a Harvard graduate recognized for his endeavors in reshaping Korea's political landscape, and award-winning violinist Han Soo-jin will share their visions and ideas on the forum's key themes through keynote presentations.
Violinist Han Soo-jin
The forum will also feature two rounds of in-depth sessions aimed at discussing practical measures and worthwhile insights for achieving diversity in both the public and private sectors.
In the first session, moderated by Park Jung-sook, secretary-general of the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), the discussion will center on embracing diverse perspectives and enhancing women's representation in the public sector. Panelists include Kim Eun Mee, president of Ewha Womans University; Huh Myung, president of the Korean National Council of Women; Tamara Mawhinney, Canadian ambassador to Korea; and Colin Crooks, U.K. ambassador to Korea.
In the second session, Blackstone Advisors Korea Chairman Ha Yung-ku will lead discussions on women's empowerment in the corporate environment with panelists, including Citibank Korea CEO Yoo Myung-soon, Korea Network of Women in Finance Chairperson Kim Sang-kyung, Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Martin Henkelmann and British Chamber of Commerce in Korea Executive Director Lucinda Walker.
Simultaneous interpretation will be available.