Choi Tae-won: "If Society Is Not Sustainable, Companies Cannot Be Sustainable Either"

Opening Speech at Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry ERT Member's Day
Encouraging Companies to Participate in Solving Social Issues
"Corporate Social Responsibility is a Form of Message and Marketing"

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group and Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, encouraged companies to actively participate in solving social issues, stating, "If society is not sustainable, businesses cannot be sustainable either."

On the 25th, at the opening ceremony of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) ERT (Entrepreneurship Round Table) Members Day event held at the KCCI, Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the KCCI, is delivering a speech. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

Chairman Choi made these remarks during the opening speech at the 'Entrepreneurship Renewal Team (ERT) Member's Day' held on the morning of the 25th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Conference Hall. He said, "Today is an occasion to reflect on the spirit of new entrepreneurship and to share the achievements our companies have made. I hope it will be an opportunity to gain good hints through companies that have shown special achievements." He added, "As we all feel, society faces various problems such as climate change, low birth rates, aging population, polarization, and regional extinction. These issues have become more complex and serious. Whether companies can create a sustainable society amid these challenges is a kind of challenge."

He continued, "Companies cannot help but consider how to respond to social issues," emphasizing, "I hope companies will join forces to solve each problem. When companies work together to solve a problem, the effect is multiplied. Since companies have different capabilities, complementing and cooperating with each other will increase the effectiveness."

Chairman Choi also stated, "Going forward, we will ensure that many companies, including ERT member companies, can participate. We will also expand projects that solve social problems," adding, "We will strive to be recognized as a new movement by many. We will make sure that companies' activities to solve social problems are acknowledged and appreciated. Much participation is needed. This is a kind of message and marketing asking companies to help become sustainable to their stakeholders."

Meanwhile, the event was held on the largest scale since the launch of ERT. About 400 businesspeople attended, including members of the Leaders Club, a gathering of CEOs from major ERT member companies. Among the Leaders Club members were Park Seung-hee, President of Samsung Electronics; Lee Hyung-hee, Chairman of SK Communication; Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company; and Park Joon-sung, Vice President of LG. The event was conducted under three themes: 'Experience Zone,' where participants engage in practical activities offline; 'Meeting Zone,' where member companies expand their networks; and 'Sharing Zone,' where the current status of value creation by participating companies is analyzed and excellent cases are shared.

ERT was launched in May 2022 with the purpose of encouraging the business community to contribute to solving social problems. The core vision of 'new entrepreneurship' is not only to create economic value as before but also to solve various social problems and further lead social development based on the diverse technologies and cultures that companies have accumulated. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry declared a 'Corporate Declaration' embodying the will to practice new entrepreneurship in 2022 and launched ERT. Currently, 1,468 companies are participating.