Hanwha becomes first Korean non-life insurer to adopt UN Women’s Empowerment Principles

Hanwha General Insurance headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of Hanwha General Insurance

Hanwha General Insurance has become the first non-life insurer in Korea to adopt the United Nations’ Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), the company said Tuesday.

The WEPs outline seven guidelines that call on businesses to take concrete action to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in both the workplace and the broader marketplace. Launched in 2010 through a collaboration between the UN Global Compact and UN Women, the initiative has since been joined by more than 12,000 companies worldwide.

The principles include establishing leadership accountability for gender equality, as well as promoting women’s empowerment across enterprise development, supply chains and marketing practices.

Hanwha General Insurance formally became a signatory in mid-March, underscoring its commitment to embedding fairness, inclusivity and growth across its operations. The company said it plans to step up efforts to create an environment where employees can fully realize their potential.

The move is in line with the insurer’s broader approach to workplace policies. Over the years, it has introduced a range of family-friendly benefits, including parental leave, time off for prenatal checkups, child care support and a sabbatical program aimed at improving work-life balance.

These efforts earned the company a “family-friendly company” certification from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in 2023.

“As a leading partner in women’s wellness, Hanwha General Insurance is committed to enhancing both organizational competitiveness and social sustainability by supporting women’s well-being,” a company official said. “We will continue to help women lead healthier, more fulfilling lives and create sustainable value.”