KT Publishes First ESG Report Since Inception

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] KT has published its first ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report since its founding.

According to KT on the 29th, the "KT ESG Report 2021" includes KT's ESG activities over the past 136 years leading Korea's telecommunications history, as well as its management status as a digital platform company, activities to realize social value, and KT's efforts for sound and transparent governance.

The report, consisting of 125 pages, begins with greetings from the CEO and the chairman of the board and introduces the ESG management strategy system. The E (Environmental) chapter covers essential environmental management and eco-friendly projects; the S (Social) chapter includes customer-first management, mutual growth, and human rights management; and the G (Governance) chapter contains governance, ethics, and compliance activities.

KT is promoting eco-friendly management for future generations, aiming to achieve Net Zero 2050. Additionally, it is fulfilling its social responsibilities by utilizing so-called "ABC (AI, Big Data, Cloud)" technologies, such as the "080 Call Check-in," which allows COVID-19 entry logs to be created with a single 080 phone call, and the "KT Jalnagage" service, which provides small business owners with commercial area analysis and business know-how using artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. Furthermore, to operate a transparent and independent board of directors, KT launched a compliance committee and implemented an electronic voting system.

KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo stated, "As a digital platform company, KT must fulfill its social responsibilities when the nation and society face difficulties. Going forward, KT will do its best for a Korea that grows together and a sustainable future, leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cloud."

This report is the first in the industry to comply comprehensively with the international sustainability reporting guideline, the "GRI Standards."

Meanwhile, KT received the highest (AA) rating in the first half ESG evaluation conducted by Sustainvest, a social responsibility investment consulting firm, which assessed 997 listed companies in June. In June, KT also successfully issued ESG bonds worth 260 billion KRW (AAA rating), the first in the ICT industry.