SKT Included in DJ BIC World Index This Year... "Plans to Further Raise ESG Management Standards"

by Seo Sojeong

Published 06 May.2026 09:26(KST)

Included 17 Times Since First Listing in 2008

Jaeheon Jeong, President of SK Telecom. Photo by Yonhap News.

SK Telecom has been recognized as a global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) leader after being included in this year's Dow Jones Business Investment Criteria (DJ BIC) World Index.

According to the SKT Newsroom on May 6, SKT was included in the DJ BIC World Index in recognition of its company-wide efforts, including board-driven responsible management, ESG management of its supply chain, climate response, and strengthening of health and safety. Since its first inclusion in 2008, SKT has now been listed for a total of 17 years and plans to further raise its level of ESG management going forward.

The DJ BIC is a sustainability assessment index, previously known as the DJSI until its name was changed in September last year. It is published annually by S&P Global in the United States and is widely used as a standard for assessing the sustainability level of global companies and assists investors in making responsible investment decisions.

The DJ BIC World Index, which SKT has been included in, evaluates over 2,500 companies with the largest market capitalization worldwide, selecting only the top 10% of companies in each industry sector with the highest level of sustainable management. Among global telecommunications companies, only seven were included in the World Index, and SKT is the only Korean telecommunications company to be selected.

In particular, the DJ BIC evaluates the sustainability of companies across their governance and operational systems. SKT is practicing board-centered responsible management to protect shareholder rights and enhance corporate value. The company recommends a board attendance rate of over 75%, and in 2024, it recorded a 100% attendance rate across 17 board meetings.

Additionally, SKT limits the concurrent holding of outside director and auditor positions and operates a variety of specialized committees, conducting regular evaluations of board and committee activities. Based on such governance, SKT has further strengthened ESG management in its supply chain.

SKT has conducted in-depth assessments of potential ESG risks within its supply chain and has completed immediate analysis and corrective actions for key risks. Furthermore, the company has significantly enhanced customized training and consulting to help its partners voluntarily internalize ESG capabilities.

SKT is also promoting its '2050 Net Zero' strategy, centered around the ESG Committee within the board of directors. The company is reducing energy consumption while expanding power purchase agreements (PPAs) to directly buy renewable energy from power producers, thereby implementing substantial greenhouse gas reduction efforts.

Um Jonghwan, Head of Sustainability Management at SKT, stated, "Having been included in the DJ BIC World Index for such a long period, we will continue to advance our sustainable management practices to meet internal and external assessments and expectations," adding, "We will take the lead in creating sustainable growth together with our customers."