To contribute to a sustainable future, LG Chem carries out a variety of ESG activities. Among them, the ‘Green Class Employee Volunteer Group’ holds a particularly special meaning, as it involves employees directly engaging and building bonds with children. In today’s interview, we speak with Senior Manager Park, Joo Young from the Global CSR Team, who planned the Green Class Volunteer Group, and Associate Han, A-Ro from the Information Technology Team, who has been actively participating for three consecutive years. They share insights into the preparation process, vivid on-site experiences, and heartfelt reflections from their journey.

Q. Hello! Please introduce yourselves.

Park, Joo Young: Hello, I’m Park, Joo Young, Senior Manager in LG Chem’s Global CSR Team, responsible for both domestic and international CSR activities.

Han, A-Ro: Hello, I’m Han, A-Ro from LG Chem’s Information Technology Team. I’m responsible for reviewing and establishing company-wide digital service standards for employees, as well as identifying new services based on AI and automation technologies that can support their work.

Q. Can you tell us about the Green Class program?

Park, Joo Young: The Green Class is one of LG Chem’s flagship educational social contribution programs. It aims to help children, as the next generation, easily understand social and environmental issues and grow into future ESG leaders. To support this, we develop and distribute a variety of educational resources such as workbooks, videos, and kits. These materials were originally created for teachers to use in the classroom. However, we believed that even greater synergy could be achieved by having our employees deliver the lessons themselves, which led to the launch of the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group.

Q. How did the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group get started?

Park, Joo Young: In the beginning, we focused on developing and distributing educational materials such as videos, workbooks, and kits for teachers to use independently in their classrooms. Then the idea emerged, “What if our employees participated directly in the education?” That idea became the catalyst for launching the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group. It has since become an even more meaningful initiative as our employees meet children face to face and share the values of ESG with them.

Q. The Green Class Employee Volunteer Group has been running for three years now. Have there been any changes compared to when it first started?

Park, Joo Young: The program began on a small scale in urban areas such as the Seoul headquarters and the Magok district. Over time, it gradually expanded to regional sites in the southern part of the country, including Yeosu and Naju.

There have also been changes in the educational themes. For the first two years, the focus was on biodiversity. However, many employees found the topic unfamiliar and had difficulty delivering it effectively. So this year, we shifted the theme to mechanical and chemical plastic recycling, which is closely related to LG Chem’s actual business. Since it directly connects to the company’s activities, such as PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) products, it has become easier for employees to understand and communicate the topic effectively to the children.

Q. I heard that you, Associate Han, A-Ro, have participated in every session. What inspired you to take part consistently over the past three years?

Han, A-Ro: Since childhood, I’ve taken part in various volunteer activities with my parents. Those experiences taught me that even small acts of sharing can carry great meaning. After joining the company, however, it became harder to find opportunities to volunteer. Then I came across the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group through a company-wide announcement. Because it focused on educational volunteering, it aligned well with my past experiences and felt like a natural fit. Above all, the fact that it is organized by the company made it feel even more meaningful.

Q. What sets the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group apart from your past volunteer experiences?

Han, A-Ro: Educational volunteering is always enjoyable because interacting with children brings a lot of positive energy. What made the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group feel even more special was that I was participating under the name of LG Chem. Through this activity, I was able to feel a strong sense of belonging and pride in contributing to the company’s initiatives.

Q. Is there any new environmental knowledge you’ve gained through the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group?

Han, A-Ro: Over the past three years of continued participation, I’ve experienced the changes in the educational themes firsthand. The initial topic, biodiversity, was unfamiliar to me, so I studied a lot using related materials and YouTube videos. Through that, I realized just how many endangered species we tend to overlook. This year’s topic, mechanical and chemical recycling, is something LG Chem works with, but I only had a vague understanding of it. Through the learning materials, I was able to clearly see how ESG efforts connect to actual products, which gave me a much deeper understanding of sustainability.

Q. How do you prepare for the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group activities?

Park, Joo Young: First, we select the activity topic from among the Green Class educational materials that have already been developed. Once a topic is chosen, it is not changed easily. Adjustments are only made when there is a strong alignment with current social issues or the company’s strategic direction. The next important step is coordinating schedules with local schools or community child centers. We do our best to align with the children’s availability, and even travel to hard-to-reach places, such as island schools in Yeosu. Once the schedule is confirmed, we begin recruiting employee volunteers. All participants are required to complete a preliminary training session. To accommodate their busy schedules, we also provide training videos so they can prepare more flexibly.

In addition, the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group goes beyond simple environmental education and includes a career exploration component. Employees engage with children by sharing their own career experiences and having open discussions about future paths.
Last year, we introduced a goal-setting method using the “Mandarat” technique. This year, we connected with the children under the theme of “Discovering My Strengths.” The program is evolving beyond basic educational volunteering into a meaningful activity that supports and encourages children as they think about their futures.

Q. Do you conduct any rehearsals or simulations in advance to support employees who participate as instructors?

Park, Joo Young: Yes. Each class is conducted by a pair of employees, and we encourage them to rehearse together in advance. In fact, many participants meet once or twice beforehand to plan and practice how they will divide the lesson. For those with tighter schedules, individual preparation is also an option.

Q. We’ve heard that many employees participate in the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group each year. How many people typically take part in each session?

Park, Joo Young: In the early stages, the program was run on a small scale, mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, so the number of participants was limited. However, since expanding to regional sites last year, participation has increased significantly. In recent sessions, around 70 to 80 employees have taken part. For example, more than 50 employees joined from the headquarters and the Magok site alone. We are also currently recruiting volunteers from the Yeosu, Naju, Cheongju, and Daesan plants.

Q. How are the classes structured?

Park, Joo Young: Once we receive applications from schools or local community centers, two employees are assigned to each class to lead the sessions. The first session focuses on environmental education, while the second centers on career exploration. This two-session format allows us to build stronger connections with the children and provide more meaningful, in-depth learning experiences.

Q. Could you share a memorable or meaningful experience from your time with the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group?

Han, A-Ro: The children’s energy has always given me strength. I was especially touched by the way they warmly welcomed us each time we entered the classroom. What stayed with me the most was when they said, “Please come again!” after the class. Hearing that made me feel a deep sense of relief and reward, as if we had done a good job and created a meaningful memory for them.

Park, Joo Young: My perspective changed after shifting from being a participant last year to a planner this year. I felt especially rewarded when employees told me, “This year was much better,” and “The content was easier to understand.” Teaching children is never an easy task. Although class sizes have become smaller, engaging with nearly 20 children still takes a great deal of energy. This year’s sessions were aimed at upper-grade students, which made the content more challenging and the students more energetic. I imagine it was quite demanding for the volunteers. That’s why hearing comments like “It was fun” and “I definitely want to do it again next year” made me feel incredibly proud.

Q. Associate Han, A-Ro, how has your experience with the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group influenced your life or work?

Han, A-Ro: For me, the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group has been a valuable opportunity to reset and reflect, as well as a meaningful way to put the company’s values into practice. While my department often collaborates with others on work-related tasks, there are few chances to connect with colleagues from different teams through non-work activities like volunteering. During my first session, I was paired with someone I didn’t know, and through our conversations, I found out he was an onboarding peer of my close colleague. As we prepared for the class together, we naturally opened up, shared our challenges, and built a sense of connection.

Q. What advice or tips would you give to employees who are joining the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group for the first time?

Park, Joo Young: Many people worry about whether they can communicate well with elementary school students these days. But in reality, the children are very responsive and engaged, so there’s no need to worry too much. They enjoy the quizzes and activities, and with the homeroom teacher present during the class, everything runs smoothly. Of course, since you’re not a professional teacher, it’s natural to feel a bit nervous at first. That’s why we strongly recommend rehearsing in pairs beforehand. If you come prepared and open to engaging with the children, the experience will be all the more rewarding.

Many participants have said, “I want to do it again,” or “I’d recommend it to my colleagues,” and in fact, the re-participation rate is quite high. Since you’ll be paired with colleagues around your level of experience, it’s also a great chance to build new connections. It’s a refreshing activity that can recharge your energy when you need it most, so I encourage you to give it a try without feeling pressured.

Han, A-Ro: Unexpected situations can arise in the classroom. Children have varying levels of focus and often ask unpredictable questions, so things may not always go exactly as planned. But there’s no need to worry. The materials and videos provided are very well-structured. Watching the training content on YouTube and doing just one practice session with your partner can boost your confidence significantly. And above all, the children greet you with such warmth. When they say, “Please come again,” you truly feel the pride of passing on LG Chem’s ESG values to the next generation. It becomes a meaningful experience that connects the company, yourself, and society.

Q. Lastly, do you have any final thoughts on the Green Class Employee Volunteer Group or any message you’d like to share with fellow employees?

Park, Joo Young: At the Global CSR Team, we are planning a variety of initiatives to support the social wellbeing of our employees. The Green Class program is one of these efforts, and we put great care into every step, from planning to execution. Once you participate, you’ll find that it’s more than just volunteer work. It’s a rewarding experience that gives you energy and inspiration. We sincerely encourage your interest and participation.

Han, A-Ro: I hope to continue participating in the Green Class activities whenever I have the opportunity. I’d also like to express my gratitude to my teammates who supported me throughout this experience. Thanks to their support, I was able to take part with a relaxed mind and truly enjoy the time.

The Green Class Employee Volunteer Group, which began in the small space of a classroom, has become an opportunity for children to broaden their perspectives on the environment and the future. For employees, it offers a warm and meaningful experience that connects the company with society. LG Chem will continue to promote ESG initiatives led by our employees, as we work together to build a better future.