Lotte Group emphasizes commitment to women

Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin, fourth from left, and Cho Yoon-sun, the minister of gender equality and family, third from left, show their support yesterday. Provided by the company

Lotte Group pledged to foster female talent and create a better business environment for its female employees yesterday at the?Way of Women (WOW), a?leadership forum established last year to support female executives and reinforce the role of women?in the group.

The event was attended by 600?female executives?of Lotte Group, Chairman Shin Dong-bin and Minister of Gender Equality and Family Cho Yoon-sun at the Lotte Hotel in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul.

At the event, Shin signed an agreement with Minister Cho to create more jobs for women and?improve the workplace environment.

Lotte also pledged to expand its family-friendly system and maternity facilities, and?eliminate gender discrimination in?recruitment and promotion, while actively participating in expanding quality part-time jobs for women whose careers have been interrupted.

The conglomerate also plans to designate every Wednesday as Family Love Day to create a corporate culture of balancing work and family.

“In order for a company to ensure future competitiveness, fostering female human resources is essential,” said Shin. “Lotte will take the lead in creating a business environment where excellent female talent can work without having to worry about family and housework.”

Cho also spoke, and three female executives - including Kim Ji-eun, the first female overseas fashion director promoted this year at Lotte Department Store - shared their experiences and know-how.

“It is expected there will be tangible results in increasing the female employment rate if Lotte Group’s policy to care for women in the whole process of employment, including recruitment of women with disconnected careers, spreads,” said Cho.

BY Kim Jung-Yoon [kjy@joongang.co.kr]