1Please tell us how your extensive career at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, where you worked to improve the health and well-being of the public up to the position of Vice Minister, has influenced your role as the ESG Chairperson of SK bioscience.

SK bioscience’s corporate mission of ‘We Promote human health, from prevention to cure’, aligns closely with the goals of both governments and the World Health Organization(WHO). While companies and governments may pursue their objectives differently, the ultimate goal remains the same. Therefore, I firmly believe that my knowledge and experience gained in public service can significantly contribute to the company’s ESG management efforts. The ESG Committee serves as the control tower as the highest deliberation and decision-making body under the Board of Directors for ESG management strategies and implementation for sustainability. As the Chairperson, my role involves reviewing and overseeing the progress of the mid-and long-term goals and strategies for each ESG area, as well as detailed action plans, activities, and information disclosures. This allows us to make informed decisions regarding ESG risks and opportunities that may arise. I also promote independence in setting directions and specific activities, striving to review carefully to ensure that ESG evaluation meets global standards.

2What is the significance of SK bioscience’s ESG management promotion in terms of the company’s business and social and environmental aspects?

ESG is no longer a choice but an imperative. With our core business directly impacting human health, SK bioscience, as a leading company in the bio-industry, has been embracing its social responsibility by building a global bio ecosystem and engaging in social philanthropic activities within local communities. As part of these activities, we identify the needs of the ecosystem and local communities and actively support basic research and talent development through mutual cooperation. Additionally, we sponsor the Right Fund and the International Vaccine Institute, operate scholarships, and support research in the field of biopharmaceuticals/vaccines. Moreover, we have established strong partnerships with international organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CEPI, and GAVI to contribute to global health. We believe that it is the essence of SK bioscience to promote ESG management based on sustainability, extending far beyond one-time philanthropy.

3Please tell us about any recent company achievements or issues in terms of ESG management that you would like to highlight.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed why SK bioscience should be committed to ESG activities. As the pandemic posed a significant threat to human health, vaccines and treatments emerged as crucial factors in overcoming it. At the onset of the pandemic, when vaccine supply was scarce, SK bioscience’s production of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccines fulfilled our ESG goal of improving human health more than 100%, making a substantial contribution to our ESG efforts. SK bioscience has established a board-centered management system based on its expertise and independence to carry out responsible management. In particular, 2022 was the year when we promoted ESG management in earnest, crafting a comprehensive vision and strategic direction through committee resolutions, and developing dedicated systems for each ESG area. In order to fulfill our social responsibility to respond to climate change as a vaccine company, we established a Net Zero Roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions company-wide and actively implemented the TCFD Statement of Support. We will continue to strive for sustainable growth by thoroughly implementing tasks for each ESG area.

4Lastly, I would kindly like to request your congratulatory words for the publication of SK bioscience’s second ESG report.

We believe that ESG reports are very important, not only for active communication with stakeholders and transparent disclosure of information but also for companies to assess their own ESG management. The process of publishing the report provides a great opportunity to elevate our ESG management to the next level by addressing shortcomings and proactively reinforcing areas that need improvement. Just like our vision of ‘promoting human health’, we will embody the ultimate value of ESG management through the promotion of health. Furthermore, we are committed to becoming a leading ESG management company, fostering health and happiness not only in Korea but also globally.

1This is your third year as a member of the ESG Committee. We’d like to know more about the role of the ESG Committee and the ESG issues you’ve reviewed and made decisions.

The ESG Committee is responsible for reviewing and advising on ESG management strategies, directions, and related reports for sustainable growth of SK bioscience. Since ESG affects the entire business value chain, we conduct extensive discussions and reviews on all aspects of company management from an ESG perspective. SK bioscience has designated 2022 as the inaugural year for ESG management and has been dedicated to establishing an ESG management system, including ESG vision and promotion strategies. As a result of these efforts, we have defined our vision as ‘Healthier Life, Sustainable Future’. Recognizing that ESG information disclosure will become mandatory by 2025, last year, we published our first ESG report, along with a TCFD report to address climate change. Additionally, we have revised our Human Rights Management Declaration to broaden the scope of stakeholders and encompass the right to health. Going forward, I believe our challenge is to internalize ESG management throughout the company and manage ESG efforts and growth harmoniously, pursuing both economic value(EV) and social value(SV) in line with SK Group’s core management principle, the Double Bottom Line*.

2How does ESG impact SK bioscience from a financial perspective?

Since ESG activities include social and environmental impacts, which are non-financial factors, it is difficult to evaluate the performance of ESG management based on numbers or financial information alone. However, SK bioscience’s corporate mission is to promote human health through the development and production of vaccines. Therefore, there is a close relationship between financial performance and the creation of business-linked social value through ESG management. It is important to recognize that corporate growth and ESG are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary. We believe that creating social value through ESG management will lead to a virtuous cycle of increasing financial performance and economic value. SK bioscience is planning to expand its business for greater financial performance and, at the same time, create social value through ESG management.

3What is the significance of SK bioscience’s business from an ESG perspective, considering social and environmental aspects?

Businesses cannot be sustainable if society is not sustainable. Business and society do not exist in isolation but are interdependent in many ways. Beyond corporate social responsibility or corporate philanthropy, a community perspective that promotes coexistence is needed. I believe that SK bioscience’s business is aligned with this community perspective. SK bioscience aims to realize a healthier life and a sustainable future for humankind by protecting global public health through the development of high-quality and safe vaccines. We firmly believe that our business simultaneously enhances the long-term sustainability of society, the environment, and the company itself.

4Lastly, would you like to say a few words to congratulate the publication of SK bioscience’s second ESG Report?

SK is a group with ESG management in its DNA, as a company that has been pioneering social value creation even before the term ESG was coined. As a member of the group, SK bioscience is proud to be a company with ESG DNA. We will make our ESG vision of ‘Healthier Life, Sustainable Future’ a reality by promoting ESG management authentically, transparently, and practically.

* SK’s management principle to grow together with society by simultaneously increasing economic value(EV) and social value(SV) in all business activities, moving away from the ‘Single Bottom Line’ that solely pursues economic value and profit.