KAI gains ISO's anti-corruption certificate

KAI CEO Kim Jo-won, second from left, poses after winning an ISO 37001 anti-bribery management certificate, for the first time in the nation's defense industry, at its office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of KAI

By Park Ji-won

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on Tuesday acquired ISO 37001 certification for the first time in the Korean national defense industry, according to the company.

ISO 37001 is one of the country's standards for anti-bribery management systems and includes a series of specific action plans against corruption.

Through a screening process involving on-site inspections by the Korean Standards Association (KSA), the firm was able to win the certification which was rare for the defense company.

The certificate-awarding ceremony held at KAI's Seoul office and was attended by KAI President and CEO Kim Jo-won, KSA Chairman Lee Sang-jin and other officials.

“With the acquisition of ISO 37001 certification, KAI will reinforce its management system in accordance with international standards and practice ethical management based on the international standard Anti-bribery and Corruption Management System to raise its value as a leading national aerospace company,” Kim said.

To win the certification, the organization has been pushing for efforts to transform itself.

The drive started gaining steam last October when Kim took office. He put top priority on establishing a renewed corporate culture represented by so-called “ethical and transparent management.”

He built up a series of international systems that include strategy, compliance with laws and regulations, leadership, evaluation schemes and improvement activities.

Kim has been trying to set the company's core values to seek ethical management. He held the ethics management proclamation ceremony while reorganizing the company by having independent organizations such as the business ethics & support division seek transparency in ethical management with reinforcing awareness of ethics among employees.

In addition, Kim devoted himself to implementing the ethical management system by amending regulations and policies, strengthening regular checks on management activities of the board members and running the audit committee.?

The company expects the certification to enhance the firm's global competitiveness and reduce potential risks surrounding corruption issues at a time when its former CEO Ha Sung-yong is behind bars over suspicions he used a slush fund to lobby government officials to extend his tenure as company president.