KT&G Receives Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for Leisure-Friendly Workplace
Awarded the highest honor for the first time, 10 years after receiving its initial Leisure-Friendly Certification in 2016
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On November 9, KT&G received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award at the “2026 Leisure-Friendly Certification Ceremony for Companies and Institutions,” organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and was also selected as an “Outstanding Company in Leisure-Friendly Management.” The photo shows Bae Soo-min (right), Chief of the KT&G Sustainability HQ, posing at the award ceremony.
On November 9, KT&G (CEO Bang Kyung-man) received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award at the “2026 Leisure-Friendly Certification Ceremony for Companies and Institutions,” organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).
The Leisure-Friendly Certification and Awards recognize exemplary companies and institutions that support work-life balance for employees and contribute to spreading leisure culture. Since first receiving the certification in 2016, KT&G has consistently renewed its certification; this year, the company received the Minister’s Award, the program’s highest honor, for the first time.
The award recognizes KT&G’s efforts to foster a company-wide leisure-friendly culture, guided by its philosophy that work-life balance strengthens employee competitiveness and motivation. KT&G broadly supports employees’ leisure activities through a range of initiatives, including hourly annual leave, support for employee clubs, an in-house library, and internal e-sports tournaments.
KT&G also introduced an automatic parental leave system in 2015, under which parental leave is automatically granted upon childbirth without requiring a separate application, increasing the leave utilization rate to more than three times its previous level. The company’s family-friendly programs also drew praise, including “Gahwa Mansaseong,” a program marking its 10th year that features initiatives such as a family photo event for employees.
Another notable factor behind KT&G’s award was the cultural and artistic programs it offers at SangSang Madang, the company’s five multipurpose cultural spaces across the country. These facilities have created opportunities for locals and employees to enjoy a broader range of leisure activities.
Bae Soo-min, Chief of the KT&G Sustainability HQ, stated, “This award recognizes KT&G’s management philosophy that work-life balance leads to greater employee engagement and growth. We will continue to promote a flexible, leisure-friendly organizational culture.”