By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
The Women In koRea (WIR: ‘We’ in German) women leadership group of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) successfully launched the seventh edition of its annual mentorship program on March 7, in celebration of International Women’s Day.
The event served as dynamic platform to celebrate and reflect on the growing influence of women leaders across various sectors, while reinforcing the collective efforts to accelerate women’s empowerment in leadership roles.
Since its launch in 2018, the WIR Mentorship Program has connected over 250 women professionals, offering guidance, support and empowering future leaders. The 7th edition of the program continues this mission, focusing on building meaningful connections, nurturing leadership potential, and driving positive change across sectors. Expanding its reach and impact, KGCCI recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sungjoo Foundation, operated by Sungjoo Group, which manages the luxury brand MCM.
Jointly hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Korea, the kick-off event brought together over 80 participants, including women executive mentors and mentees from various sectors and organizations, as well as women ambassadors in Korea. Distinguished attendees included H.E. Dagmar Schmidt Tartagli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Korea; Joern Beissert, Deputy Ambassador of German Embassy in Korea; H.E. Peter van der Vliet, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Korea; H.E. Emmy Jerono Kipsoi, Ambassador of Kenya to Korea; H.E. Sindiswa Ntombolimo Mququ, Ambassador of South Africa to Korea; and Dr. Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe, Ambassador of Nepal to Korea; and Yeaji Kim, a member of the Korean National Assembly.
Senior executives and representatives from leading organizations such as Bayer Korea, Boehringer Ingelheim Korea, Brita Korea, Deutsche Bank Seoul Branch, Kyobo Life Insurance, LBBW, Osmium Institute Korea, RWE Renewables Korea, Siemens Energy Ltd., and Swiss-Korean Business Council were also in attendance.
H.E. Dagmar Schmidt Tartagli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Korea, delivered a welcome speech, saying “I am delighted to support the KGCCI's initiative to foster women’s leadership. I greatly appreciate this inclusive approach, which empowers women to take on visible roles in society. It’s inspiring to see people of all genders standing in solidarity to achieve gender equality. Diversity not only drives innovation but also inspires leadership and contributes to a sustainable future.”
Yeaji Kim, South Korea’s first visually impaired lawmaker, highlighted the challenges women still face in leadership and the need for continued progress. She stated, “Just as women with disabilities today experience multiple forms of discrimination based on both gender and disability, various forms of discrimination still persist in our society.” She added, “Just as women fought for their right to vote and to live in 1908, we must continue to strive for a more inclusive and just society for future generations.”
Kumjoo Huh, Co-Chair of the WIR Mentorship Program and External Affairs Consultant of Kyobo Life Insurance, expressed aspirations for the WIR program, stating, “Today, we live in an era of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) where traditional leadership models are no longer sufficient.” She added, “By strengthening the capabilities of talented women and cultivating a robust leadership pipeline, WIR aims to drive meaningful change and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Felix Kalkowsky, Vice President of KGCCI stated, “True leadership is built on inclusion. By empowering women leaders, we foster innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth. The record-breaking number of applications for this year’s WIR program underscores the growing demand for strong, supportive networks. KGCCI remains committed to fostering opportunities that enable aspiring leaders to excel in today’s dynamic business landscape.”
The KGCCI WIR group is a cross-industry, cross-national network that empowers young professional women in Korea to unlock their leadership potential and accelerate value-driven leadership with focus on gender, generations and geography. Launched in 2018, WIR mentorship program has been serving as a platform for building a strong and sustainable network fostering collaboration, and addressing challenges faced by women leaders in today’s dynamic business environment. Rooted in the belief that mentorship is a reciprocal exchange, WIR encourages participants—regardless of their background or professional standing—to share insights and learn from each other.
