Sejong Telecom Practices ESG Internalization Through Connected Business

Sejong Telecom (CEO Kim Hyung-jin, Lee Byung-guk) announced on the 2nd that it is practicing ESG internalization linked to its business under the founding vision of “contributing to the world through connected business that benefits nature and humanity.”

Recently, ESG has emerged as the biggest issue for companies. By 2025, companies will be required to disclose ESG management reports, and by 2030, this disclosure obligation will expand to KOSPI-listed companies. In response, government ministries are providing support related to ESG for companies.

The Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute will disclose environmental information of some willing companies through the Environmental Information Disclosure System starting in June. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 30th of last month that it will support domestic mid-sized export companies in preparation for the European Union’s mandatory ESG due diligence on supply chains. Consumers also place great importance on ESG activities when evaluating companies. According to a 2021 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), consumers are 80% more likely to purchase products from eco-friendly companies than from general companies.

Sejong Telecom, a mid-sized long-term telecommunications company engaged in electrical construction, is carrying out underground construction to bury high-voltage overhead power lines and communication lines (optical cables) that cross urban areas. By burying high-voltage power lines and optical cables underground, the urban environment is made more pleasant, and safety accidents are prevented by eliminating contact between wiring and people.

In addition, Sejong Telecom recently participated in the Chuncheon Soyang Promotion District 2 housing redevelopment and reconstruction project, leading efforts to improve the regenerative environment through the installation of electric vehicle charging facilities and solar power facilities. It is also participating as a video security business partner in the “Green Smart Future School” project, transforming school buildings over 40 years old into future-oriented educational spaces and creating future-type schools.

Sejong Telecom has also made efforts to establish pollution prevention and environmentally friendly construction environments. To minimize construction waste in the electrical business sector, it has established an environmental management plan, identified potential environmental issues in advance, and prepared on-site countermeasures that are currently being operated. Raw materials used in construction are purchased and used as eco-friendly products, and practical guides to reduce dust and construction noise for on-site workers and nearby residents are prepared, distributed, and implemented throughout the entire construction process.

Furthermore, through its subsidiary Sejong Q-Biz, Sejong Telecom has established a “Refreshment Center” that purchases used IT products such as mobile phones and tablet PCs, refreshes them, and recycles them.

According to a 2020 report by market research firm Consumer Insight, the average replacement period for mobile phones among Koreans is approximately 27 months. Most use two-year plans and change to new models after the contract period ends. Although the recycling of used mobile phones has recently increased, according to 2021 data from the Ministry of Environment, the mandatory recycling rate in Korea is still below 10%, and disposal of waste mobile phones remains an environmental pollution issue.

Sejong Q-Biz’s “Refreshment Center” operates with a systematic inspection system and large-scale intake infrastructure. Consumers who own used mobile phones can easily apply non-face-to-face, and collected used phones undergo complete deletion of personal information through a globally verified solution, with related certificates delivered to sellers. Afterward, they go through repair and refresh processes before being recycled.

Kim Jong-pil, Director of the ESH Team at Sejong Telecom, said, “ESG is directly and indirectly affecting the entire construction industry, including the mandatory submission of ESG evaluation results during construction and bidding, along with the establishment of a safety culture. Sejong Telecom will continue its efforts toward ESG internalization to fulfill corporate responsibilities regarding environmental, quality, safety, and social contribution issues.”

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