The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Korea Foundation for Cooperation of Large & Small Business, Rural Affairs have launched the recognition process for the 2026 ‘Rural and Fishing Village ESG Practice Program’, which identifies outstanding companies and institutions that have contributed to rural and fishing communities through win-win cooperation, social contribution, and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities. Applications are being accepted from September 18 to October 12.
 [코리안투데이] 농어촌 환경 사회 거버넌스 ESG 우수기업 기관 인정으로 농어촌 기여를 넓힌다 © 장형임 기자 |
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister Kim Jung-kwan), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Song Mi-ryung), the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Hwang Jong-woo), and the Korea Foundation for Cooperation of Large & Small Business, Rural Affairs (Secretary-General Byeon Tae-seop) announced that they will recruit and select the companies and institutions to be recognized under the 2026 Rural and Fishing Village ESG Practice Program. Under the program, the government comprehensively assesses the win-win cooperation, social contribution, and ESG activities carried out by companies and institutions in rural and fishing communities, and officially recognizes those with high levels of contribution.
Since its introduction in 2022, the program has seen steadily growing participation. The number of recognized companies and institutions rose from 23 in 2022 (4 private, 19 public) to 41 in 2023 (10 private, 31 public), 52 in 2024 (13 private, 39 public), and 68 in 2025 (17 private, 51 public). This reflects a broadening participation base spanning both the private and public sectors.
Beginning with the 2026 recognition cycle, the diagnostic system has been overhauled to more thoroughly assess the extent to which companies’ and institutions’ ESG activities have actually benefited rural and fishing communities and the agriculture and fisheries sectors. The diagnostic indicators across the three areas of environment (E), society (S) and governance (G) have been consolidated from 33 to 30. For example, ‘management of hazardous environmental substance emissions’ and ‘activities to reduce energy use and emissions’ have been merged into a single indicator, ‘efforts to improve the environment through the management and reduction of hazardous environmental substances and energy’. Indicators that had merely checked whether an activity was carried out were also reduced from 15 to 5, so that the actual level and outcomes of activities are reflected in the assessment. Final recognition is granted to companies and institutions that score 80 points or higher out of a total of 110.
 [코리안투데이] 농어촌 환경 사회 거버넌스 ESG 우수기업 기관 인정으로 농어촌 기여를 넓힌다 © 장형임 기자 |
After recognition, follow-up support such as diagnostic consulting and the discovery and rewarding of exemplary cases is provided. Companies and institutions that receive final recognition are awarded a recognition plaque along with commendations from the Ministers of Trade, Industry and Energy; Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Oceans and Fisheries. They also receive benefits including preferential treatment in the win-win growth index evaluation, preferential policy fund limits and interest rates, comprehensive rural-linked ESG consulting support, and media promotion of exemplary cases.
 [코리안투데이] 농어촌 환경 사회 거버넌스 ESG 우수기업 기관 인정으로 농어촌 기여를 넓힌다 © 장형임 기자 |
Starting this year, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has newly joined the program, so that three ministries — together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries — will jointly recognize outstanding companies and institutions. This effectively widens the channel connecting the industrial sector’s ESG management with rural and fishing village win-win cooperation. Companies and institutions wishing to participate may submit their applications to the Foundation from September 18 to October 12, and further details can be found in the notices section of the Rural and Fishing Village Win-Win Cooperation Fund website (www.winwinfund.or.kr).
Park Geun-oh, Director-General for Trade Agreements Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, ‘With the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy newly joining the Rural and Fishing Village ESG Practice Program this year, we will work to further expand corporate ESG management and win-win cooperation with rural and fishing communities.’ He added, ‘We will strengthen cooperation with relevant ministries and actively support corporate participation so that the industrial sector’s diverse ESG activities can lead to the sustainable development of rural and fishing communities.’
 [코리안투데이] 농어촌 환경 사회 거버넌스 ESG 우수기업 기관 인정으로 농어촌 기여를 넓힌다 © 장형임 기자 |
Jeon Han-yeong, Director-General of the Rural Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, ‘Through the Rural and Fishing Village ESG Practice Program, we hope that the ESG activities of companies and institutions will lead to the sustainable development of rural and fishing communities and the agriculture and fisheries sectors, as well as the resolution of local issues.’ He continued, ‘We will continue to discover and spread exemplary cases so that companies and institutions can grow and prosper together with rural and fishing communities, and we will encourage active participation from the private sector.’
Yang Yeong-jin, Director-General for Fisheries Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, ‘Rural and fishing communities are the foundation of our people’s livelihoods and an important base for the local economy.’ He added, ‘We hope the Rural and Fishing Village ESG Practice Program will serve as a bridge connecting corporate ESG activities with the sustainable development of rural and fishing communities, so that more cases of win-win cooperation that provide real help to these communities can be created.’
Leave a Reply