Press Releases

KoSIF and PRI Sign MOU to Strengthen Responsible Investment in Korea

and Jointly Respond to ESG System Changes

- Building a Global Collaboration Network to Advance ESG Integration and Responsible Investment among Korean Institutional Investors

- Responding to Korea’s Evolving Regulatory Framework, including the ESG Disclosure Roadmap, while Strengthening Alignment with Global Responsible Investment Standards

- Strengthening the Capacity of Korean Financial Institutions and Promoting Implementation through Mid- to Long-Term Collaboration, including the Use of the PRI Academy

The Korea Sustainability Investing Forum (KoSIF) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the world’s largest global initiative for responsible investment, to promote the development of responsible investment and foster a policy environment for sustainable finance in Korea.

This agreement is particularly timely as Korea’s sustainable finance framework continues to take shape, including ongoing discussions around the ESG Disclosure Roadmap. As global capital markets increasingly recognize the limitations of traditional financial information in identifying investment risks, ESG information has become a key factor in investment decision-making. PRI is a leading global initiative representing over 5,000 financial institutions across more than 60 countries, collectively managing approximately USD 140 trillion in assets. In Korea, around 30 major financial institutions including the National Pension Service (NPS) and the Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) are PRI signatories. KoSIF is a non-profit ESG think tank dedicated to advancing sustainability in Korea’s capital markets. The organization has been at the forefront of promoting climate finance and strengthening institutional frameworks, including mandatory ESG disclosure, to support the practical ESG transition of Korean companies and financial institutions. KoSIF also serves as the official Korean partner for major global initiatives, including CDP, PCAF, SBTi, and RE100.

The two organizations have previously collaborated on various initiatives, including joint statements on the ESG Disclosure Roadmap. This MOU marks an important step in elevating their cooperation into a more structured and long-term partnership. Moving forward, they will work together on policy engagement to address systemic risks in financial markets and enhance professional capacity. Areas of cooperation include ▲sharing policy trends and conducting joint research, ▲issuing joint statements on policy statements, ▲issuing joint letters and conducting meetings, and ▲facilitating engagement with policymakers and regulators. Through these efforts, the partnership aims to support the adoption of global standards in Korea while bringing Korean market perspectives to international discussions.

Furthermore, the two organizations will enhance practical support in integrating ESG factors into investment decision-making and promote active ownership in line with the PRI Principles. They will also explore mid-to-long-term collaboration opportunities, including expanding the use of the PRI Academy. Going forward, they plan to consider broader rollout of educational programs in Korea, laying the groundwork for the gradual adoption of investment decision-making processes aligned with global standards.

Regarding the partnership, Karl C.S Yang, CEO of KoSIF emphasized that "Private capital must play a leading role in advancing transition finance to support the low-carbon transition of high-emitting industries." He added, "Through this agreement, we will strengthen the practical responsible investment capabilities of Korean financial institutions and work together with both the public and private sectors to build a robust and sustainable finance ecosystem." Cambria Allen-Ratzlaff, Interim CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), said, "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting Korean investors as they navigate a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape and integrate sustainability factors into their investment decisions." She continued, "By combining PRI's global network with KoSIF's deep local expertise, we aim to provide practical guidance, capacity-building opportunities, and policy insights that will help embed responsible investment more effectively across Korea's capital market."

KoSIF and PRI will proactively engage to swiftly advance agreed-upon initiatives and continue long-term cooperation for the sustainable development of Korea’s capital market.