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Korea Conference 2026
14 April 2026
Seoul

Korea
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Korea Conference 2026
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ICGN is excited to be back in Seoul for the ICGN Korea Conference 2026, hosted by Korea Exchange (KRX), followed by the 2026 ICGN National Assembly Global Institutional Investors Roundtable.  Join us at the conference to examine global trends in sustainability, stewardship codes, and reporting standards and explore Korea’s rapidly evolving corporate governance and stewardship landscape. Our topical panel discussions offer insights into how governance can drive long-term value creation and strategic resilience alongside unrivalled networking opportunities.

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SessionTuesday 14th April
08:30 Registration opens
09:15 - 09:20 Welcome remarks from ICGN CEO

  • Jen Sisson, CEO - ICGN, UK
09:20 - 09:25 Welcome Remarks from KRX Host

  • Eun-Bo Jeong, Chairman & CEO, KRX, Korea
09:25 - 09:30 Congratulatory Remarks

  • Ki-Hyung Oh, Chairperson, KOSPI 5000 Special Committee, Korea
09:30 - 09:35 Congratulatory Remarks

  • Min Woo Park, Standing Commissioner & Deputy Chairman for International Affairs, Financial Services Commission (FSC), Korea
09:35 - 09:40 Photographs
09:40 - 09:50 Levelling Up the Korean Market: Corporate Governance Reform and its progress

  • Jaesik Son, General Director, ESG Policy & Disclosure Division, KRX, Korea
09:50 - 10:00 Towards the Korea Premium: How the Corporate Value-up Program Reshaped the Market

  • Jinwoo Cho, General Director, Corporate Value-up Support, KRX, Korea
10:00 - 10:45 Plenary 1: Focus on Korea – Governance Reforms Today and Opportunities for Tomorrow
Korea’s corporate governance landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by reforms aimed at improving capital efficiency, board accountability, and shareholder rights. This session will examine the progress made to date, the impact of recent policy initiatives, and the challenges that remain. Panellists will discuss how investors and companies can work together to strengthen governance and unlock long-term value creation.

  • Dr. Hyunyoung Hwang, Research Fellow, Capital Markets Department, Korea Capital Market Institute, Korea
  • Cheol Woo Park, Investor Relations Executive Officer, Shinhan Financial Group, Korea
  • Dongsub Yi, Head of Global Responsible Investment & Governance Division, National Pension Service (NPS), Korea

Moderator: Dr. Woochan Kim, Professor of Finance, Korea University Business School (KUBS), Korea

10:45 - 11:15 Refreshments
11:15 - 11:30 Korean Stewardship Code Update

  • Dr Deokkyo Oh, Head of Korea Stewardship Code Center, KCGS, Korea
11:30 - 12:15 Plenary 2: International Developments: Around the World in Stewardship Codes
Stewardship codes continue to evolve worldwide as regulators and investors refine expectations for transparency, accountability, and impact. This session will explore recent developments across key markets, highlighting new approaches to reporting, engagement, and outcomes measurement. Panellists will share insights on how global convergence - and local nuance - are shaping the landscape for investor stewardship.

  • Maureen Beresford, Director of Governance and Stewardship, FRC, UK
  • Jackson Rowland, Director, Aotearoa Stewardship Code, New Zealand
  • Akiko Shintani, Team Leader of the Corporate Accounting and Disclosure Division, Japan Financial Services Agency, Japan

Moderator: Joanna Soh, Chief Operating Officer, Stewardship Asia, Singapore

12:15 - 13:30 Networking Lunch
13:30 - 14:00 Regional Round Up – What is Happening Around the World in Governance and Stewardship policy and regulation
Jen Sisson, ICGN CEO will give an overview of the key developments and trends in global governance and stewardship regulations. Find out what the key changes have been and what to watch out for in 2026 and beyond.
14:00 - 14:45 Plenary 3: Governance as a Strategic Sustainability Lever
As sustainability-related risks intensify — from climate change and biodiversity loss to cybersecurity and emerging AI threats — strong governance is increasingly recognised as a core enabler of long-term value creation and risk management. This session will explore how boards are integrating sustainability into strategic oversight, the evolution of board structures such as ESG-focused committees, and the role of investor stewardship in accelerating progress.

  • Jinsuk Choi,Senior Director, Korea Investment Corporation, Korea
  • Helena Fung, Head of Research and Advocacy, ACGA, Hong Kong
  • Flora Wang, Head of Stewardship & Portfolio Advisor, Fidelity, Hong Kong

Moderator: Simon Rumore, Managing Director, Peakstone Global, Australia

14:45 - 14:55 Keynote Address

  • Kathlyn Collins, Vice President, Head of Responsible Investing and Stewardship and Portfolio Manager, Matthews Asia, USA
14:55 - 15:40 Plenary 4: Evolving Standards: Towards Mandatory Sustainability Reporting and Assurance
Korea is advancing its roadmap for sustainability reporting, aligning with global developments driven by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). This session will explore the current state of play in Korea, the progress of ISSB adoption worldwide, and the emerging frameworks for assurance and audit. Panellists will discuss how these evolving standards are shaping corporate transparency, investor confidence, and long-term value creation.

  • Jae Aum, Partner - Capital Markets & Professional Practice Director - Sustainability, EY, Korea
  • Yonghwan Choi, Head of ESG, NH-Amundi, Korea
  • Sungho Joo, Technical Director, Korea Accounting Institute, Korea

Moderator: Marianne Harper Gow, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Baillie Gifford, Singapore

15:40 - 16:10 Refreshments
16:10 - 17:10 Plenary 5: Reform, Results, and Returns: Governance at the Heart of Activism
Shareholder activism is increasing in Korea, with many investors placing governance reform at the centre of their value-creation strategies. This session will explore how governance-driven activism is reshaping corporate priorities, influencing board composition, and strengthening accountability. Panellists will consider how companies can respond constructively, and how investors and boards can collaborate to drive productive, long-term change that enhances sustainable value creation.

  • Elizabeth Ellicott, Research Manager, Diligent, UK
  • Changhwan Lee, CEO, Align Partners Capital Management, Korea
  • Hye Sung Kim, Attorney, Kim & Chang, Korea
  • Sachin Mistry, Portfolio Manager, Palliser Capital, UK

Moderator: Paul Murphy, Head of Governance & ESG Advisory - APAC, Georgeson, Australia

17:10 - 17:55 Plenary 6: Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Korea’s 2026 Proxy Season and What to Watch in 2027
Korea’s 2026 proxy season offers valuable insights into how the country’s governance landscape continues to evolve amid reform and rising investor expectations. This session will reflect on the main themes and outcomes from the season, highlighting lessons for both companies and investors. Panellists will also look ahead to 2027, discussing emerging priorities, regulatory developments, and what may shape the next phase of effective governance and stewardship in Korea.

  • Nana Li, Head of Sustainability & Stewardship, Asia-Pacific, Director, Impax Asset Management, Hong Kong
  • Glenn Maguire, Head of Asia (ex-Japan), Australia, and New Zealand Research, ISS STOXX, Australia
  • Mike Tae, Group President of Funds, Issuer, and Data-Driven Solutions, ICS, Broadridge, USA

Moderator: YK Park, Independent Board Director at Tara Climate Foundation and Former MD and Head of Emerging Markets Equities at APG Asset Management, Hong Kong

17:55 - 18:00 Concluding Remarks
Jae Aum
EY Han Young
South Korea
Maureen Beresford
Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
United Kingdom
Jinwoo Cho
Korea Exchange (KRX)
South Korea
Jinsuk Choi
Korea Investment Corporation
South Korea
Yonghwan Choi
NH-Amundi Asset Management
South Korea
Kathlyn Collins
Matthews Asia
United States
Elizabeth Ellicott
Diligent Market Intelligence
United Kingdom
Helena Fung
ACGA
Hong Kong
Marianne Harper Gow
Baillie Gifford
Singapore
Hyunyoung Hwang
Korea Capital Market Institute
South Korea
Sungho Joo
Korea Accounting Institute (KAI)
South Korea
Hye-Sung Kim
Kim & Chang
South Korea
Woochan Kim
Korea University Business School (KUBS)
South Korea
Changhwan Lee
Align Partners
South Korea
Nana Li
Impax Asset Management
Hong Kond
Glenn Maguire
ISS Stoxx
Australia
Sachin Mistry
Palliser Capital
United Kingdom
Paul Murphy
Head of Governance & ESG Advisory APAC
Australia
Deokkyo Oh
KCGS
South Korea
Minwoo Park
Financial Services Commission (FSC)
South Korea
Yoo-Kyung Park
Tara Climate Foundation
Hong Kong
Jackson Rowland
Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code
New Zealand
Simon Rumore
Peakstone Global
Australia
Akiko Shintani
Financial Services Agency of Japan
Japan
Jen Sisson
ICGN
United Kingdom
Joanna Soh
Stewardship Asia Centre
Singapore
Jaesik Sohn
Korea Exchange (KRX)
South Korea
Flora Wang
Fidelity International
Hong Kong
Cheol Woo Park
Shinhan Financial Group
South Korea
Dongsub Yi
National Pension Services Korea
South Korea

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76 Yeouinaru-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu
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