S. Korea: First Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) bill in Asia proposed by lawmakers
정태호 국회의원실
On September 1, 2023, the "Act on Human Rights and Environmental Protection for Sustainable Business Management," the first mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) bill proposed in Asia, was proposed to congress by Representative Jung Taeho (Democratic Party of Korea, Gwanak-eul, Seoul) and Transnational Corporations Watch (KTNC Watch).
For the first time in Asia, the bill proposes to mandate corporate responsibility to respect human rights and the environment and stipulates the corporate duty to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence. Representative Jung and KTNC Watch co-hosted a press conference on the same day to urge the National Assembly and the Korean Government to enact the bill as soon as possible.
This story covers developments about the proposed Act and related updates and resources.
The case for South Korean mandatory human rights due diligence
This briefing looked at South Korean companies’ performance on key human rights measures. It concluded voluntary efforts to address human rights abuses have been insufficient in South Korea and set out recommendations for the South Korean Government to adopt a mandatory approach which would require companies to make consistent and effective efforts to protect human rights and the environment in their supply chains.