By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) will host “Guide Walkers” joint CSR event on September 7, 2025, at Sangam World Cup Park in Seoul, South Korea.

Now in its third year, the initiative brings together nearly 700 colleagues and partners from KGCCI and its member companies who will serve as guide walkers for individuals with visual impairments at the 11th Harmony Marathon with Visually Impaired, organized by Seoul Disabled Sports Association. First launched in 2023 to commemorate 140 years of Korean-German diplomatic relations, the Guide Walkers initiative has grown into a meaningful tradition, celebrating corporate responsibility and cross-cultural partnership among KGCCI, its members, and partners.

Distinguished guests participating in this year’s event include Joern Beissert, German Deputy Ambassador to Korea; Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President and CEO of KGCCI; HaJoong Chung, KGCCI Vice Chairperson and President & CEO of Siemens Korea; JiSook Lee, CFO of Bayer Korea; David Jones, Head of Offshore Development & Country Manager Korea of RWE Renewables Korea and other KGCCI board members. Yeji Kim, Member of the National Assembly; Sooyoung Choi, singer-actress from Girls' Generation and goodwill ambassador for the Harmony Marathon; and Joo-ho Park, former Borussia Dortmund football player and Korean national football player will also participate.

Alongside KGCCI and the German Embassy in Seoul, this joint CSR effort brings together over 30 German companies and institutions, such as Armacell Korea, BASF Company, Bayer Korea, Boehringer Ingelheim, Brita Korea, Continental Korea, Crown Worldwide Korea, EEW Korea, Goethe-Institut Korea, GTAI, LBBW, Merck Korea, Robert Bosch Korea, RWE Renewables Korea, Siemens Korea, TK Elevator Korea, TRUMPF Korea, TÜV NORD Korea, TÜV SÜD Korea and Yulchon LLC.

As part of its commitment, KGCCI will donate 200 white canes for the visually impaired, and all participation fees will be allocated to improving transportation accessibility for this community. Henkel Korea and TÜV SÜD Korea will donate their products for all participants, while Bayer Korea and Merck Korea will operate its event booths product sampling and engagement.

Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President & CEO of KGCCI, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “As we get ready to co-host this year’s event, we’re thrilled to welcome a record number of participants, a powerful sign of the growing connection between Korean and German communities. This joint CSR project is about more than business. It is about walking together toward a more inclusive society. Every step we take side by side shows that when companies lead with heart, they can ignite meaningful change.”

As part of its broader CSR and DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) efforts, KGCCI has been consistently advancing community-driven projects. In 2023, over 280 participated as guide walkers for the first time. The following year, participation grew to more than 450. In April 2025, KGCCI signed an official MoU with the Seoul Blind Union to deepen long-term collaboration. KGCCI also continues to support woman empowerment through its Women in koRea (WIR) mentoring program and has published annual CSR reports highlighting the social engagement of German companies in Korea since 2014.