[2023 Women’s Forum] Mayor Oh Se-hoon: "Utilizing Female Talent is Directly Linked to National and Corporate Competitiveness"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's Congratulatory Address at the '2023 Women Leaders Forum'
"Actively Supporting Women's Challenges Leading Transformation in the AI Era"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is delivering a congratulatory speech at the '2023 Asia Economy Women Leaders Forum' held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 24th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

"How to utilize talented women who have had to leave the labor market despite their sufficient abilities and potential will be directly linked to the competitiveness of the nation and companies."

On the 24th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon delivered a congratulatory speech at the '2023 Women Leaders Forum' held at the Crystal Ballroom of Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul. He stated, "In a situation where artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing transformation to various unique human domains, the roles and capabilities of women leaders are needed and more important than ever," adding, "I hope this forum today will be a valuable opportunity to learn strategies and leadership of women leaders to seize opportunities in the era of digital transformation."

Mayor Oh said, "The AI era brings changes and new opportunities to our society, and based on these opportunities, we must create a country where women do not hesitate to take on challenges and can fully demonstrate their capabilities, and where diverse women leaders can emerge," adding, "Seoul City is implementing various policies so that women can establish themselves as key actors in our society, and I will listen carefully to the various insights and wisdom discussed here to actively consider Seoul City's role."

[Full text of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's congratulatory speech]

Hello. I am Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul.

First, I sincerely congratulate the holding of the '2023 Women Leaders Forum,' where women leaders who will lead future society gather. Last year, I greeted you via video, so I regret that, but it is even more delightful to meet you in person after two years.

Thank you to Chairman Hyeon Sang-soon and CEO Woo Byung-hyun of Asia Economy for organizing this meaningful occasion to share the experiences and wisdom of women leaders from various fields.

Also, I send my wholehearted applause to the six companies receiving the 'Asia Gender Equality Index Award' for their contributions to expanding women's employment and improving their rights, and to the 41 'Power K-Women' of the year who are spreading valuable and positive influence in the world.

Recently, AI technology is plunging our society once again into the whirlwind of revolution. The impact that the rapid development of AI will bring to our lives is difficult to even predict.

However, one thing is clear: if we fail to adapt to changes in the AI era, not only will the growth of our society be distant, but we may even face the risk of being left behind.

In this situation where AI is bringing transformation to various unique human domains, I believe that the roles and capabilities of women leaders are needed and more important than ever.

That is why I look forward to this forum even more. I hope it will be a precious opportunity to learn the strategies and leadership of women leaders to seize opportunities in the era of digital transformation.

Women’s advancement is already remarkable worldwide. Especially this year, the Nobel Prize made a new mark in its 100-year history by awarding women in 4 out of 6 categories, and although still insufficient, the solid glass ceilings in business, academia, culture, and arts are gradually breaking.

However, despite this woman power, the position and role of women in our society remain unstable.

Professor Claudia Goldin of Harvard University, the recipient of this year’s Nobel Prize in Economics, pointed out that despite active participation of women in the labor market, the gender wage gap remains because of women’s burden of housework and childcare. Women, who bear more responsibility for family care, tend to choose flexible work environments with lower pay rather than high-paying jobs requiring long hours.

Not only in Korea but worldwide, childcare is blocking women’s social advancement and even depriving them of opportunities to grow as leaders.

It must change now.

The AI era brings changes and new opportunities to our society. Based on these opportunities, we must create a country where women do not hesitate to take on challenges and can fully demonstrate their capabilities, and where diverse women leaders can emerge.

Seoul City is implementing various policies so that women can establish themselves as key actors in our society.

As you know, for more than 10 years, through the 'Travel(女幸) Project' for a city where women are happy, we have been discovering various jobs for women and striving to resolve the anxieties and inconveniences women face.

Since last year, we have been promoting the 'Mom and Dad Happiness Project' to support women’s social advancement and work-life balance. The core idea is not to create a situation where one must choose between work and childbirth, or between career and childcare.

For a woman to grow as a leader in our society, she must first enter society and accumulate career and experience; this project represents a strong will that the very start should not be blocked.

Many experts are concerned that due to demographic changes, many countries and companies will face severe labor shortages. In this situation, how to utilize female talents who have had to leave the labor market despite their sufficient abilities and potential will be directly linked to the competitiveness of the nation and companies.

Therefore, I hope that through today’s forum, women leaders leading innovation in their respective fields will generously share their experiences and wisdom. I will listen carefully to the various insights and wisdom discussed here and consider Seoul City’s role more actively.

Thank you.

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