Programme

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Monday 28 September 2026: 
Civil Society Forum part I

Opening Remarks by the Co-Chairs

  • Ms. Joo-hyoung LEE, University of Seoul, KOR DAG Chair 2.5 min
  • Mr. Krzysztof Pater, EESC, EU DAG Chair 2.5 min

Introduction by KOR DAG Chair

Building a Sustainable Future in an era of Uncertainty: Upholding Shared Values and Fostering Partnerships Across Past, Present, and Future

The international community today faces growing uncertainty driven by protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and energy and supply chain challenges. In this context, the session will look back on the past and present of Korea–EU cooperation under the Korea–EU FTA, while also exploring future directions for cooperation on emerging issues such as labour, the environment, and industrial transition. 

The session will also include a discussion on economic security, cooperation at multilateral and regional level, industrial partnerships and cooperation among like-minded partners.

  • KOR — So-Young Lim, KIET, KOR DAG vice-chair
  • EU — Dilyana Slavova (Euromontana) EU DAG member
  • KOR — June Namgoong, Korea Labor Institute, KOR DAG vice-chair  
  • EU — Alena Mastantuono, EESC, EU DAG  member

Introduction by EU DAG Chair [CSF Labour, Environment & Trade Session]

Just energy transition and trade: ensuring fairness, accountability, and social protection in the Korea-EU context

- including the social and environmental dimensions of the transition, in line with what the Korea-EU Green Partnership is meant to deliver 

  • The recent trend of energy transition acceleration driven by rising security risks
  • The deployment of clean energy sources and cooperation on this topic (including EU projects in which South Korea is participating)
  • Renewables
  • The labour and community implications of Korea's accelerated coal phase-out and renewables expansion, including workforce protection and Supply chain governance for clean energy components, particularly regarding due diligence, labour standards, and environmental safeguards
  • The connection to the Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade (IFCCT), which was launched at COP30 and now entering its implementation phase, and to COP31 in Antalya in November
  • Comparative Impacts on Korean and EU Businesses 
    • KOR — Kang-won Kim (Korea Energy Agency)
    • EU — Fernando Hernandez (Both ENDS), EU DAG member

Introduction by EU DAG Chair [CSF Environment Session]

Emerging Trends in Corporate Response to Green Supply Chain Regulations: Perspectives of Intra- and Extra- regional Companies

  • Current Status of Major Green Supply Chain Regulations (CBAM, ESPR, PPWR)
  • Current Status of Importers’ Responses to Green Supply Chain Regulations
    • KOR — Young-il Choung (SHIN & KIM LLC)
    • EU – Maria Antonietta Priolo, UIL, EU DAG member

Introduction by KOR DAG Chair [CSF Labour Session]

Gender Equality at Work

  • Recent Changes in the Korean Female Labour Market and Policy Tasks for a Gender-Equal Labour Market
  • Comparision of available date on equal pay in Korea and in the EU
    • EU –  Krzysztof Pater, EESC, EU DAG chair
    • KOR – Sungmi Jung (KWDI)

Q&A and Discussion

Coffee Break

Introduction by EU DAG Chair  [CSF Standing item]

Implementation progress of the 2021 Panel of Experts’ recommendations (standing item)

- state of play, with the contribution of the ILO

  • Siska Dubbert, Legal Standard Specialist, ILO (online)
  1. Review of the Implementation and Improvements Regarding the Recommendations of the Panel of Experts under Article 13.15 of the KOR-EU FTA
  • KOR — Hongyoung Kim (Sung Kyun Kwan University)
  • EU — Tanja Buzek European Transport Workers’ Federation , EU DAG Member, (online)

Preliminary discussion on the Joint Conclusions  

Closing Remarks by Co-Chairs

  • Ms. Joo-hyoung LEE, University of Seoul, KOR DAG Chair
  • Mr. Krzysztof Pater, EESC, EU DAG Chair

Tuesday 29 September 2026: 
Workshop & Civil Society Forum part II

KOR-EU Shaping New Trade Rules in the AI Era

Workshop on Emerging AI Governance and Challenges in Labor & Environment

  • 10:00-10:10 Opening Remarks by the Co-Chairs
    • Ms. Joo-hyoung LEE, University of Seoul, KOR DAG Chair
    • Mr. Krzysztof Pater, EESC, EU DAG Chair
  • 10:10-11:00 WORKSHOP - Session 1 - Introduction by KOR DAG Chair
  • The EU regulatory aspects on AI (ethic, data protection, cyber security, cloud sovereignty, public procurement access, etc: Pascal Kerneis (ESF) EU DAG vice-chair
  • Korea's Legal Response to the Use of AI in the World of Work: YEJIN KIM (The SNU Law Research Institute)

Q&A and Discussion

  • 11:15-12:05 WORKSHOP – Session 2 - Introduction by KOR DAG Chair
  • Platform work - Aurora Rossi (industriAll) EU DAG vice-chair
  • Innovating energy and environmental policy with AI - Yonggi Kim (STEPI)

Civil Society Forum part II

  • 12:05-12:55 Discussion and adoption of the KOR-EU CSF, Workshop Joint Conclusions
  • 12:55-13:00 Closing Remarks by Co-Chairs
    • Ms. Joo-hyoung LEE, University of Seoul, KOR DAG Chair
    • Mr. Krzysztof Pater, EESC, EU DAG Chair
  • 13:00-14:00 Networking lunch: Conference room, sandwich
  • 14:00-16:00 Social Programme: NAVER 1784(Jeongjail-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do)