The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) and the Ministry of Justice are holding their first working-level consultative meeting to strengthen human rights management capabilities of Korean companies operating overseas. The move comes as tightening human rights and labor regulations within global supply chains have increased the need for corporate risk management.
According to the NHRCK on Tuesday, the two agencies are jointly hosting the "First Working-Level Consultative Meeting on Human Rights Management for Overseas-Operating Companies" at 2 p.m. at the Science and Technology Convention Center. The event targets corporate practitioners currently conducting or planning overseas business operations.
The meeting consists of three sessions. In the first session, Jeong Hyeon-chan, a specialist at law firm Jipyong, will outline the international norms that overseas-operating companies must comply with.
In the second session, Ryu Hye-young, head of the international cooperation team at the Korea Labor and Employment Service, will address supply chain labor and human rights risks. She will explain the reputational and financial risks that arise from failing to comply with local labor rights, along with response strategies.
The final session is a participatory workshop. Corporate practitioners will discuss human rights issues they may encounter in the field, with presenters offering advice.
The NHRCK and the Ministry of Justice said they plan to continue cooperating with overseas-operating companies and related agencies such as the Korea Labor and Employment Service starting with this meeting, and to expand practice-oriented support programs.
