[Women’s Forum 10th Anniversary] Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, "Hold on Well to Valuable Work in the Era of Transition"

Congratulatory Speech at the '2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum'... Expectations for Changes Following SDGs and ESG Management

Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the '2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum' hosted by Asia Economy at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, stated that efforts for sustainable development in this era of transition will bring about changes that improve the status of women, advising women to "find valuable work and hold on to it well continuously."

On the 27th, Deputy Speaker Kim congratulated the 10th anniversary of the ‘2021 Asia Women Leaders Forum’ and made these remarks. She said, "The world is currently facing a period of great change, and Korea is also in a time of transition," viewing the ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ adopted at the 2015 United Nations (UN) General Assembly as a good guide.

The SDGs set goals for balanced development that harmonizes economic growth, social stability and integration, and coexistence with the environment. They include issues such as universal human problems like poverty, disease, education, and gender equality; global environmental issues like climate change, energy, pollution, and biodiversity; and economic and social issues such as technology, housing, labor relations, employment, production and consumption, social structure, law, and domestic and international economy.

Deputy Speaker Kim mentioned ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management, a recent major topic in the business world, describing it as the "corporate version of the SDGs." She added, "ESG management will also bring about the spread of gender-equal organizational culture, reduction of the gender wage gap which stands at 32.5%, and strengthening of diversity and transparency in decision-making bodies," emphasizing, "With the Capital Market Act coming into effect in August next year, a wave of change will begin where more women influence corporate decision-making and lead management."

Addressing the female mentors and mentees present at the event, Deputy Speaker Kim said, "Looking back, I have been influenced by countless senior, peer, and junior women through democratization movements, women’s movements, environmental movements, and my entry into politics up to now," adding, "Because there were teachers who taught me, reliable colleagues, and seniors and friends who never withheld comfort and support when I was tired and struggling, I was able to move forward step by step."

She continued, "In an era like today where the pace of change is fast, things like brilliant creativity and the ability to quickly respond to technological changes are valued, but I want to emphasize the 'power to continue.' I hope you also find what you think is valuable and what you like to do, and hold on to it well," she advised.

Deputy Speaker Kim said, "Gender equality, human rights, public health, environment, sustainable development, and low birthrate and aging are fields I have mainly dealt with over the past 40 years. They are important agendas in our society now and will become even more important in the future. Even as my affiliation and position have changed several times, these are issues I have consistently held on to," expressing her expectation, "Based on my experience and trial and error so far, I believe we can communicate with future generations and achieve greater progress."