The Korea Life Insurance Association (KLIA) and FALIA, a Japanese life insurance education institution, jointly held the 2026 Korea-Japan Life Insurance Sustainability Seminar on Feb. 4 at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul under the theme of “The Current Status of Japan’s Care Industry and Measures to Enhance the Sustainability of the Insurance Industry.”
Both sides held the seminar in order to explore sustainable development strategies for the life insurance industry amidst structural environmental changes, such as an entry into a super-aged society, climate change, and the spread of artificial intelligence technology.
Approximately 70 people attended the seminar including those from the life insurance industry, related organizations, and insurance academia.
In the first session, Kazuhiro Saito, a senior leader of the Overseas Strategy Office at Sompo Care, gave a presentation on the current status of Japan’s care industry.
He introduced the development process of Japan’s nursing care industry, the history of the nursing care insurance system, and potential connections with the Japanese life insurance industry, while sharing cases of Japan which experienced a super-aged society ahead of Korea.
In the second session, Masayuki Tanaka, an executive director of FALIA, presented measures to enhance the sustainability of the insurance industry.
Emphasizing trust as a core value of the insurance industry, Tanaka explained a need for the insurance industry to respond to the Paris Agreement framework, national greenhouse gas reduction targets and climate change risks.
He also presented examples of ESG integration centered on the Principles for Sustainable Insurance and enhanced disclosure and transparency.
Participants in the subsequent panel discussion included Lim Dae-woong, Korean representative of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI); Lee Seung-jun, a research fellow at the Korea Insurance Research Institute; and Oh Yoon-jin, head of ESG affairs at Samsung Life Insurance.
They discussed ways to apply international sustainability trends to the Korean life insurance market and mid-to-long-term strategic directions.
“The life insurance industries in Korea and Japan are at a turning point due to demographic changes, the climate crisis, and technological advancements,” said Kim Chul-ju, chairman of the KLIA In his opening address.
“I hope this seminar will help life insurers to grow into a life care industry that covers all aspects of life.”
Opening Ceremony for KLIA’s Jeonju Branch
The KLIA announced on April 1 that it held an opening ceremony for its Jeonju Branch at the Kyobo Life Insurance building in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, and enhanced convenience for insurance buyers and strengthened the life industry’s foundation in the region.
This branch is the seventh regional hub following those in Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, and Wonju. Life industry watchers say that the branch has further strengthened the association’s nationwide service network.
The Jeonju Branch plans to strengthen consumer protection in the region by providing insurance subscription inquiries and face-to-face consultation services.
It will also serve as an offline point of contact for digitally vulnerable groups.
It is expected to play a role in complementing field-based support functions amidst an insurance service environment that has been reorganized around non-face-to-face services.
In particular, the establishment of a permanent testing center at the branch expanded the number of the insurance agent qualification exam from once a month to ten times.
Consequently, the burden of travel for applicants in the Jeonbuk region to other areas to take the exam is expected to shrink and significantly increase opportunities to obtain qualifications.
In addition, the branch is expected to function as a regional insurance infrastructure hub by performing direct-visit cancellation services for insurance salespeople and serving as a communication channel between financial authorities and the life insurance industry.
“Through the Jeonju Branch, the KLIA will provide practical assistance at the branch closer to those in the region,” Chairman Kim said. “We will simultaneously strengthen the cultivation of insurance talents and consumer support, and contribute to the development of regional financial ecosystems.”
_2026 한-일 생명보험 지속가능 세미나.jpg)
