Chairman Kang Myung-soo of the Korean Standards Association (KSA) delivers his opening speech at a symposium on service future innovation at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, on June 30. (Photo: KSA)

The Korean Standards Association (KSA) held the 6th Service Week from June 30 to July 2 under the theme “Service Embracing ESG.”

The Service Week is an event in which experts from several walks of life get together to explore a variety of ways to develop the service industry. The event is also designed to publicize the significance of the development of the service industry to the people.

Events of the 6th Service Week included a symposium on service future innovation, a Korean Standard-Service Quality Index (KS-SQI) certificate award ceremony, Korea Service Grand Prix awards ceremony, and events designed to recognize those who contributed to the development of the service industry, and academic and other events to celebrate Service Day.

A talk show on ESG took place as an event to open the 6th Service Week on Day 1 on June 30.

Lee You-jae, dean of Seoul National University, said, “The importance of service in a new normal era embracing society cannot be overemphasized, and social issues such as climate change, poverty and inequality have been spread globally, so subsequent social innovation is required.”

Lee said service companies have to change, and social responsibilities and environmental sustainability need to be included in consideration of social, environmental and governance, non-financial aspects.

The development and advancement of ICT has a great impact on both individuals and society, so it is the reason why investments toward ESG and social demand are on the rise, he said.

Lee maintained that companies which invest in sustainability can retain competitiveness in a long-term perspective, and for companies, services, achieving social innovation, will serve as new growth opportunities.

During the talk show, President Nah Seok-won of the Social Value Enhancement Studies, presented successful examples of implementing ESG management, such as Unilever, BASF and SK Group.

He said companies will have to cooperate with each other through alliances for the building of the ESG ecosystem, and establish strategic plans to be survived as sustainable companies through the creation of social values.

Companies also presented their efforts to implement their on-site ESG management. Vice President Park Hyun-joon of Shinhan Bank said Shinhan Financial Group has set three strategies related to ESG: eco-friendliness, co-prosperity and trust and implemented five impact tasks: zero carbon drive, innovative financing, dubbed “Triple-k: hopeful society (Hope Together SFG), pursuing social diversity, and protecting the financially underprivileged.”

Vice President Park Kyung-ho of Korean Air said management in the post-COVID-19 era is responsible not just for the safety of aircraft, but also for the health of passengers. Korean Air will prioritize safety-oriented management in accordance with its safety tenet “Care First,” he said.

The Korea Service Grand Prix awards ceremony and events to celebrate Service Day took place with representatives from academic and industry circles in attendance on July 2, the last day of the Service Week.

They were designed to give words of encouragement and present awards with those who have contributed to the development of the service industry and improving of quality.

Among the eight overall grand prize winners at the Korea Service Grand Prix ceremony were Lotte E&C, which has won 20 years in row. Three companies, including Shinhan Bank, were honored with the best practice awards.

The “Service The Prime Award,” given in recognition of contributions to the development of the service industry, went to President Shim Won-hwan of Samsung Electronics Service and President Ha Seok-ju of Lotte E&C.

Other prize winners included Vice President Park Hyun-joon of Shinhan Bank and Kim Dong-sup, head of SK Broadband Group.