UNGC Campaigns for Transparent Management
‘Implementing UN Global Compact Important Mission for Korea’
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The Korean Network of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) was launched Monday to support the compact which aims to help companies implement their corporate social responsibility.
Dignitaries from various walks of life, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Song Min-soon, celebrated the inauguration at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has stressed the Global Compact as a main priority, delivered a congratulatory speech through a video clip.
Lee Jong-baek, chairman of the presidential Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption (KICAC), said the inauguration of the UNGC Korea Network is a meaningful step for Korea.
``Implementing the Global Compact is an important mission for Korea to meet international standards,'' Lee said in his congratulatory speech. ``I believe that the Korea Network will play an essential role to spread and apply the compact.''
He also promised that the KICAC would offer full support and act as a bridge to link the government, companies and civic groups.
The UNGC Korea Network will operate several projects to spread principles that the U.N. organization is seeking as an official branch of the UNGC, network officials said.
The branch members vowed to keep the 10 principles related to human rights, anti-corruption and environment, while encouraging more local firms and people to participate in the agreement.
The organization plans to hold a range of events to publicize the agreement and offer educational programs on corporate responsibility to both companies and the public.
South Korea joined the campaign aimed at eradiating corruption seven years after the UNGC network was launched. However, it is expected to emerge as a model nation to implement the principles, Georg Kell, executive head of UNGC, said in an interview with the Yonhap News.
He added that the UNGC aims to help businessmen lead sustainable development while abiding by international labor and environmental standards.
Korean companies, which have showed sound business ethics and innovative movement, will stimulate firms in other countries to join the compact, he added.
So far, a total of 82 local companies and various organizations joined the international campaign to encourage social responsibilities.
The participants include Asiana Airlines, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, Woori Bank and the Munhwa Broadcasting Corp.
The KICAC has also enthusiastically backed up the global compact and the Korean branch.