[2021 Public Institution Awards] ESG-Focused Evaluation... "Will Lead Expansion to Private Companies"

On the 30th, guests and awardees are taking a commemorative photo at the '2021 Asia Economy ESG Public Institution Awards Ceremony' held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. From the top row, clockwise from the left: Kim Ki-hoon, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Jo Jang-ok, professor emeritus at Sogang University; Lee Ui-cheol, CEO of Asia Economy; Hong Jeong-gi, vice minister of the Ministry of Environment; Jang Young-jin, director of planning and coordination at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Lee Sang-bok, public labor policy officer at the Ministry of Employment and Labor; Lee Yong-gu, managing director of the Korea Petroleum Management Service; Park Sung-jin, head of performance management at the Korea Rural Community Corporation; Yang Hoon-cheol, head of management strategy at the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute; Lee Byung-geun, head of management innovation at the Korea Water Resources Corporation; Heo Dae-man, director of planning and operations at the Human Resources Development Service of Korea. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The 'ESG Asia Economy Public Institution Awards,' hosted by Asia Economy Newspaper, was successfully concluded on the 30th of last month at the Press Center in Gwanghwamun, Seoul.

Now in its fourth year, the Asia Economy Public Institution Awards recognize and honor public institutions (including public enterprises and quasi-governmental organizations) that strive to realize social value, innovate management, and contribute to society for the benefit of the public. The event began in 2018 with the purpose of properly evaluating public enterprises and institutions that have been key players in economic development and prioritize public interest.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Employment and Labor, the awards were selected through fair and transparent judging by academic experts, professionals, and government officials, led by Chairperson Jo Jangok, Professor Emeritus at Sogang University. Notably, this year’s focus was on the ESG field, a global management trend.

At the awards ceremony, Korea Water Resources Corporation received the Minister of Environment Award, Korea Industrial Human Resources Corporation received the Minister of Employment and Labor Award, Korea Rural Community Corporation received the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Award, while Korea Petroleum Management Institute and Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award and the Asia Economy President’s Award, respectively.

Lee Uicheol, CEO of Asia Economy, expressed gratitude for the efforts and achievements of the institutions in his opening remarks, stating, "Domestic public institutions have led the way as pioneers and drivers during the barren days of the Korean economy, laying the foundation for private companies to grow properly today." He emphasized, "They are now the key players leading the era of ESG management, which stands for Environment, Social, and Governance."

Hong Jeonggi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Environment, said in his congratulatory speech, "ESG is not only one of the corporate management strategies but also the driving force to lead the entire economy and society toward carbon neutrality." He added, "Since public institutions need to play a leading role in creating sustainable finance and corporate environments, this event will greatly contribute to the spread of ESG."

During the awards ceremony, special lectures attracted attention, with Professor Kim Jongdae, Head of the ESG Center at Inha University Graduate School of Green Finance, and Professor Lee Wonhee of the Department of Public Administration at National Hankyong University, currently a member of the Public Institution Management Committee, delivering talks on ‘ESG, the Roles of Public Institutions and the Private Sector’ and ‘Service Value and Management Evaluation of Public Institutions,’ respectively.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.