By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Seoul Blind Union on April 30 to deepen their cooperation and advance joint corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts focused on inclusion and support for individuals with visual impairments.

The MoU, signed on April 30th, marks a meaningful milestone in KGCCI’s growing social impact agenda and underscores the German business community’s collective commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate society in Korea beyond business.

This partnership builds upon the success of the “KGCCI Joint CSR Guide Walkers” event held in August 2024. More than 450 participants from KGCCI member companies and partners served as guide walkers at the 10th Harmony Marathon for the Visually Impaired.

Originally launched in 2023 to mark the 140th anniversary of Korean-German diplomatic relations, the joint initiative has become a flagship symbol of Korean-German solidarity and community engagement.

Under this partnership, KGCCI and the Seoul Blind Union will co-host the 2025 Harmony Marathon and related awareness events, coordinate joint CSR activities supporting the visually impaired.

“The strength of the Korean-German business community lies not only in economic ties, but in the values we share. This MoU deepens our commitment to unity, promoting inclusion and driving meaningful change together,” said Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President & CEO of KGCCI.

Hyung-seok Cho, President of the Seoul Blind Union, echoed this sentiment: “We are grateful to KGCCI and its member companies for their genuine commitment to inclusion and social responsibility. This partnership goes beyond symbolic gestures—it creates real opportunities for our visually impaired community to be seen, heard, and supported. We look forward to building a more inclusive society together.”

KGCCI’s CSR journey has included other milestone partnerships, such as the MoU signed with the Sungjoo Foundation in 2024 to promote women’s leadership through the WIR (Women in Korea) mentorship program. Furthermore, KGCCI continues to amplify social impact through its annual CSR Report, which highlights initiatives led by German companies in Korea—from inclusion and education to environmental sustainability and employee engagement.