Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) co-hosted the 2026 Public-Private Seminar on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea and UN Global Compact Network Korea at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI). RBC refers to responsible business practices across economic and social areas, including human rights, labor, and the environment, as set out in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. The event drew approximately 100 participants, including corporate representatives and ESG experts. 

The seminar marked the 50th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the Guidelines’ role as an international standard for responsible business conduct over the past five decades and to strengthen Korean companies’ ability to respond to a rapidly changing business environment shaped by global supply chain shifts and the wider use of AI.

Participants shared approaches to the responsible use of AI; managing human rights and labor risks in critical mineral supply chains; government support for human rights management by Korean companies operating overseas; and corporate AI governance. They also discussed key RBC issues arising from AI and supply chain developments and how companies should respond.

“The Korea NCP will expand training and outreach to promote the adoption of the OECD Guidelines across Korean businesses,” said Kang Gam-chan, Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment at MOTIR, in his opening remarks. “We will also strengthen support for resolving disputes arising from the implementation of the Guidelines.”