The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Seoul Blind Union and OAO (operating OURSYMBOL) in Seoul, South Korea, to strengthen their partnership and advance CSR values through the integration of sports and technology.
This partnership builds on the success of the “KGCCI Joint CSR Guide Walkers” initiative, a flagship project co-hosted by KGCCI and the Seoul Blind Union since 2023 to support the visually impaired. Following last year’s record-breaking participation of over 700 people from Korean-German business community, the initiative takes a major step forward through the addition of OAO as a technology partner. By combining KGCCI’s long-standing commitment to social responsibility with OAO’s sports-tech expertise and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) focus—including its support for visually impaired marathoner Kim Jung-ha—the collaboration aligns with KGCCI’s mission to drive impactful social change.
Under this partnership, KGCCI, the Seoul Blind Union, and OAO will join forces to implement OAO’s digital platform, ‘OURSYMBOL,’ for the 2026 Harmony Marathon this June. By integrating AI-driven facial and bib-number recognition technology, the event will provide real-time photo-sharing and streamlined digital notice, registration and operations, ensuring a seamless and inclusive experience for both visually impaired and non-disabled participants. The partners will also continue to coordinate broader CSR activities in support of the visually impaired community.
“This partnership shows what can happen when business and technology are used with people in mind,” said Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President & CEO of KGCCI. “By working with OAO at the Harmony Marathon, we’re making participation easier and more inclusive for everyone involved. KGCCI is proud to continue working with our member companies and partners on CSR initiatives that make a genuine difference beyond business.”
"We are delighted to collaborate with OAO, a platform dedicated to supporting athletes with visual impairments," said Hyung-seok Cho, President of the Seoul Blind Union. "We hope this partnership goes beyond sports to inspire and support all individuals with visual impairments. We are deeply grateful to KGCCI for demonstrating such strong corporate social responsibility and for providing the practical support needed to enhance social recognition for our community."
Sangwook Lee, CEO of OAO, added: “OAO is a technology-driven company focused on expanding the value and experiences created in offline environments, and through its sports tech platform, OURSYMBOL, OAO hopes this partnership will help create more inclusive and accessible sports experiences—enabling greater participation and connection for a wider range of individuals, including those with visual impairments. Furthermore, OAO remains committed to ongoing collaboration that leverages technology to enhance inclusivity, accessibility, and meaningful engagement across offline experiences.”
The MoU reflects KGCCI’s ongoing commitment to inclusive, purpose-driven partnerships. Since launching the Joint CSR Guide Walkers initiative in 2023 to mark 140 years of Korean-German diplomatic relations, KGCCI has mobilized hundreds of volunteers from its member companies to support visually impaired runners at the Harmony Marathon, which recorded over 700 participants last year. KGCCI has also expanded its social impact through partnerships with the Seoul Blind Union, NVISIONS, and the Sungjoo Foundation, including the launch of Women in koRea (WIR) to promote women’s leadership. Together, these initiatives underscore KGCCI’s long-term commitment to creating sustainable social value beyond business, as reflected in its annual CSR Report.
