HK inno.N Wins Ministerial Award at "Good Places to Raise Children" Awards

Male Parental Leave Uptake Reached 82% Last Year

HK inno.N received a government ministerial award in recognition of its efforts to establish parental leave for male employees.

HK inno.N Executive Director Eom Myeongho (right) poses for a commemorative photo after receiving the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Award at the 2026 Family-Friendly Companies Awards Ceremony. HK inno.N

HK inno.N announced on October 28 that it had been named an outstanding company in the “Supporting Fathers in Childcare” category and received the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Award at the “2026 Awards for Companies That Are Good Places to Raise Children,” held on October 27 at the Bankers Club in Jung-gu, Seoul. Hosted by the Hanbando Mirae Population Research Institute, the awards evaluated 300 companies that publish sustainability reports and selected 11 outstanding companies across five categories, including childbirth and childcare, men’s participation in childcare, and career support.

Since 2024, under the Kolmar Group-wide childbirth and childcare support program, HK inno.N has required all employees who have a child to take at least one month of parental leave, regardless of gender. The company also made up 100% of employees’ salaries during the first month of leave to reduce the gap in household income. As a result, the rate of male employees taking parental leave reached about 82% last year.

The company is also working to foster a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable taking parental leave. This year, it introduced the group-wide “Childcare Colleague Work Support System.” Under the program, employees who take on the work of a colleague on parental leave receive paid leave and welfare points. The company also supports fertility treatment costs for couples facing infertility and provides education expenses for employees’ children. It has maintained the government’s Family-Friendly Company certification since 2022.

Eom Myeongho, executive director of the HR Support Office at HK inno.N, said, “Creating a workplace culture and environment where employees can raise children without worry is an important social responsibility for companies in an era of demographic crisis. We will continue to provide institutional support so employees can balance work and family life.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.