TLDR: NAVER CEO Choi Soo-yeon has been appointed to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Board of Directors, a move aimed at strengthening international collaboration on ethical AI governance. Her appointment, effective for a three-year term, recognizes her significant contributions to global discussions on AI safety and responsible development.
SEONGNAM, South Korea – September 18, 2025 – NAVER Corporation announced today that its CEO, Choi Soo-yeon, has been officially appointed as a new member of the Board of Directors for the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). This prestigious appointment, effective for a three-year term, underscores Choi’s pivotal role in fostering international dialogue and cooperation to establish a secure and ethical artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Choi Soo-yeon’s selection for the UNGC board acknowledges her proactive leadership in global discussions surrounding ‘AI governance,’ with a focus on integrating ethical and responsible principles throughout the entire lifecycle of AI technology development. The UN Global Compact, recognized as the world’s largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative, encompasses over 25,000 companies and organizations across 167 countries. It champions ten universal principles across four critical areas: human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, guiding corporations towards sustainable growth and responsible management practices. In South Korea alone, more than 360 entities actively participate in the UNGC.
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, lauded the appointment, stating, “Choi Soo-yeon’s global leadership and deep expertise will be a great asset in achieving the UN Global Compact’s goals.” This sentiment was echoed by Lee Dong-Kurn, President of the UN Global Compact Network Korea, who expressed delight at Choi’s appointment, noting she is the first Korean to join the board in 17 years. “We look forward to NAVER continuing to lead the establishment of a sustainable management ecosystem on the global stage and to playing an active role as a global leader through ongoing collaboration with the UN Global Compact,” Lee added.
Choi’s commitment to responsible AI development is evident through several key initiatives. In June 2024, NAVER introduced its comprehensive AI Safety Framework (ASF), designed to identify and manage potential risks across all stages of AI systems. Furthermore, in February of this year, she participated in the AI Action Summit in Paris, engaging with global leaders to shape the future direction of AI development and advocate for diversity within the digital ecosystem. Her efforts also extend to fostering innovation through the establishment of Naver Ventures in Silicon Valley, which supports promising global startups and cultivates a collaborative business environment.
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Choi Soo-yeon is scheduled to attend the upcoming UNGC board meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York on September 20, where she will actively participate in transnational discussions aimed at building safe and reliable AI governance on a global scale.
