NCSoft vows to get serious about ESG

NCSoft set up an environment, society and governance (ESG) management committee to help it become more sustainable in its business practices.

ESG is a rising concept in business circles. Many conglomerates like SK and Hyundai Motor have already embraced the concept.

NCSoft is the first company in the game industry to launch a dedicated ESG team.

The ESG committee will focus on four missions: to offer support for future generations; support the underprivileged; protect the environment; and study the direction of leadership and ethics in the adoption of artificial intelligence.

NCSoft had conducted some activities in these fields before, like running a community center for children or offering science programs to students from underprivileged households. The game publisher also partnered with ProtectedSeas, a non-profit that develops monitoring software for protected marine areas.

From 2020, NCSoft funded the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University to develop new curriculum related to AI ethics, and plans to expand that support to Harvard University this year.

Inside the organization, the company has run a child care center for its staff and increased its use of ecofriendly fuels for its buildings.

The new ESG committee will broaden these activities. Executives will be encouraged to focus on ESG issues and make them important to the company.

NCSoft President and Chief Strategy Officer Yoon Song-yee will chair the committee. Yoon is the wife of NCSoft founder Kim Taek-jin. Chief Operating Officer Jung Jin-soo and Chief Human Resources Officer Koo Hyun-bum will be committee members as well.

BY SONG KYOUNG-SON [song.kyoungson@joongang.co.kr]