Policy Change Helping South Korea Improve Women's Participation In Leadership Roles

The landscape of corporate leadership in South Korea is experiencing a significant transformation as the representation of female executives in major firms has more than doubled over the past 5 years.

This remarkable shift is attributed to various positive factors, including the implementation of a related law in the previous year.

According to data from the “Leaders Index”, a corporate tracker, a total of 726 women executives were employed across 265 firms affiliated with the country's top 30 business groups as of the end of March.

The increase in female representation in executive positions over the past five years is indeed remarkable. The proportion of women in these roles rose by 3.7% points during this period, with a net addition of 455 female executives.

This growth reflects a concerted effort by South Korean businesses to address gender imbalances in the upper echelons of corporate leadership.

One of the key drivers behind the increased representation of female executives is the implementation of a revised capital market law in August of the previous year.

This law imposed restrictions on male-dominated boards of firms with assets totalling two trillion won ($1.51 billion) or more. These restrictions incentivized businesses to prioritize gender diversity and actively seek female talent for executive roles.

The current edition of GWL brings the spotlight on noteworthy women leaders from South Korea. In this magazine edition read about Eunnara Jo, Founder and CEO, JOEL Localization. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature, and Communication and Media Studies from Yonsei University and a Master's degree in Interpretation and Translation from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Recognized as APAC CEO of the Year by APAC Insider and honored with the Innovation and Excellence Award by Corporate Livewire, she is dedicated to advancing localization services through her firm, JOEL Localization.

Another prolific woman leader from South Korea is Uk Seo, the CEO of ECONINE. She has been a leader in sustainability consulting with 20 years of experience in environment, climate change, and ESG. Her pioneering work spans multiple sectors, transforming them with innovative sustainable practices and mentoring the next generation of sustainability professionals.

In this magazine edition also read about Lisa Wong, CEO of 360 Entertainment Korea, a trailblazer in the global entertainment industry. With a diverse background spanning Thailand, the U.S., and Southeast Asia, she excels in bridging cultural gaps and leading innovative projects. Wong is committed to advancing Southeast Asian talent on the global stage while integrating cutting-edge technology and fostering meaningful collaborations.

Know more about these women leaders and the secret to their success.

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