Korea ESG Committee names 27 winners at fourth annual ESG management awards
Korea Land and Housing Corp., Jeonnam Development Corp., IS Dongseo and Miseong E&C took the top prizes as 27 organizations and individuals were honored in Seoul on Aug. 5.
The Korea ESG Committee and ESG Korea News honored 27 organizations and individuals at the fourth Korea ESG Management Awards, “THE BEST ESG,” held on Aug. 5, 2026 at the press conference hall on the 19th floor of the Korea Press Foundation building in Seoul, according to a release from the organizers.
The awards were split into four grand prizes, seven top excellence prizes, six excellence prizes, two youth frontier prizes and eight special prizes covering six legislators and two individuals. Applications were accepted from May 7 to June 19 and winners were finalized on July 22 after a document review and comprehensive screening by an eight-member panel, the organizers said. Judging criteria were how far ESG is embedded in management strategy, the sincerity and continuity of activities, and social impact.
The grand prizes went to Korea Land and Housing Corp. in the public institution category, Jeonnam Development Corp. among local public enterprises, IS Dongseo among mid-sized companies and Miseong E&C among smaller companies. Top excellence prizes went to Chungbuk Development Corp. for environment, Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture for social, Yongin City Corp. for governance, D2 Engineering among mid-sized companies, Hankook Electric Sign for environment, Gaon for social and KSR Certification for governance.
Excellence prizes were awarded to the Korea Chocolate Research Institute Museum, Cham Beautiful Companion, the National Center for the Rights of the Child, Superbin, Eight Tech and Garden Project. Special prizes for outstanding legislators went to Jung Tae-ho, Min Byoung-dug and Park Ji-hye of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Sung-won and Chung Hee-yong of the People Power Party, and Shin Jang-sik of the Rebuilding Korea Party. Actor Jung Ae-ri and Oh Jong-min, administrative office head at Sungji High School, received individual special prizes, while the youth frontier prizes went to students Yoo Young-rok of Hagil High School and Lee Jun-ho of Geumsan Elementary School.
The ceremony opened with remarks by Yoon Jae-eun, chairman of the Korea ESG Committee, and an overall review of the judging by former Korea Meteorological Administration chief Nam Jae-cheol, who chaired the panel. Lawmakers Min Byoung-dug and Kim Sung-won delivered congratulatory addresses, and presenters included Yoon, ESG Korea News Chief Executive Yoo Yeon-jeong, Standing Chairman Seo Jae-ik, Nam and Chairman Yoo Jin-hyun.
The awards have been held annually since 2023 to identify ESG best practices at companies, public institutions, local public enterprises, educational institutions and among individuals and young people. The organizers said the fifth edition will be held next year.