Exploring ESG and Corporate Activities from a Human Rights Perspective: ESG Lecture Series 

On September 6, Korea University's Business School (Dean: Eonsoo Kim) hosted the ESG Lecture Series at Young-Il Ahn Hall in the LG-POSCO Hall. The event was organized by the ESG Research Center (Director: Jay Hyuk Rhee) and featured guest speaker Attorney Oh Ji-hun, an expert in compliance and anti-corruption in the financial sector. Director Rhee opened the event by outlining the mission behind the establishment of the ESG Research Center, highlighting key initiatives such as international sustainability conferences and the global ESG lecture series. 

The lecture officially began with Attorney Oh Ji-hun, who invited participants to reflect on the personal significance of ESG in their own lives. He explained that his presentation would focus on the structure of the field he works in and the ecosystem it supports. 

Attorney Oh began his presentation by introducing ESG reports from YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment. He shared data from these companies' reports on sustainability and human rights impacts, drawing attention to key metrics such as "parental leave rates" and "turnover rates." While he acknowledged that the environmental components of these reports are relatively advanced, he pointed out that human rights impact assessments are still evolving, signaling a growing focus on human rights in corporate management. 

Attorney Oh then shifted the discussion to environmental impact, referencing the 2022 flooding in Pakistan and related climate issues. He explained how natural disasters and climate change can lead to human rights violations, emphasizing the importance of corporate management in addressing these concerns. He also highlighted the need to consider animal welfare, noting that animals are often treated as mere objects in many corporate practices. 

Attorney Oh next introduced the connection between human rights and corporate activities, emphasizing how companies are increasingly considering risk management strategies - whether to pursue stable business practices or take bold initiatives. He pointed out that avoiding issues related to "forced labor" is a key topic in corporate risk management. 

In conclusion, Attorney Oh emphasized that there is no reason to be skeptical about discussing ESG issues. He stated that "ESG is a topic we must continue to address and push forward," encouraging a positive outlook on ESG initiatives. He highlighted that the restoration of the planet's environment is challenging and warned that neglecting these issues could lead to societal collapse.