Blab Business
Korea International Insurance Conference Highlights AI, Climate Adaptation and New Partnerships
When the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas buzzed with more than 1,300 attendees from 175 companies across 27 countries, the Korea International Insurance Conference (KIIC) opened a window into the future of risk management.
Sponsored by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, the two‑day gathering—now in its third year—has become Korea’s largest international insurance forum. It serves as a stage for cross‑border dialogue, knowledge sharing and business partnerships between Korean insurers and global markets.
The opening day began with a general assembly of The LINK, a public‑private‑academic platform created by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance to promote climate adaptation, disaster science innovation and integrated safety governance. Speakers presented tools and frameworks aimed at closing Korea’s protection gap—the difference between total economic losses and losses covered by insurance.
Professor Kim Tae‑yun of Hanyang University unveiled the K‑Risk Barometer, a system that translates social and environmental hazards into standardized indicators. The framework is designed to help insurers spot emerging national risks earlier.
Ha Jong‑mok, director general of the prevention policy bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, outlined a disaster resilience certification program that would allow companies with stronger prevention capabilities to receive favorable insurance pricing.
Professor Jeong Su‑jong of Seoul National University presented research quantifying the physical and economic costs of climate change in Korea. His analysis highlighted the growing challenge posed by uninsurable risks as natural catastrophes become more frequent and severe.
In the second session, participants discussed how to translate risk diagnosis into practical business models. Choi Young‑hwa, head of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance’s Global Loss Control Center, outlined The LINK’s strategic direction and key initiatives. Makoto Yamashiro of Tokio Marine Holdings shared lessons from Japan’s Bosai Consortium CORE, a disaster‑prevention initiative that combines data across industries to develop preventive risk solutions.
Thursday’s agenda shifted to emerging technologies and geopolitical tensions. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance CEO Lee Mun‑hwa delivered opening remarks, followed by welcoming addresses from Hanwha General Insurance CEO Na Chae‑beom and Financial Services Commission Standing Commissioner Ahn Chang‑kuk.
Keynote speakers included Tracy‑Lee Kus of Aon EMEA, who assessed how insurance markets are responding to a complex global risk environment, and Kevin Russell of the McKinsey Global Institute, who discussed AI‑driven industrial transformation. Beatrix Hartinger of Munich Re examined how demographic, economic and technological trends are reshaping property and casualty insurance.
The conference also explored autonomous mobility. Doh Young‑jin, adviser to Hyundai Motor Group, presented on how advances in physical AI could transform mobility and the relationship between automotive and insurance industries. A joint session featuring Nevenka Mattenet of Hartford Steam Boiler and Choi Yoon‑ho of Samsung Electronics examined how connected‑device data can be integrated into insurance operations.
Breakout sessions focused on autonomous mobility and AI‑driven transformation across the insurance value chain. Seoul Institute’s Lee Seol‑young presented the city’s policy framework for autonomous vehicles, while Cheon Ji‑yeon of the Korea Insurance Research Institute discussed regulatory evolution. Min Dong‑han of Autonomous A2Z proposed the insurance and data infrastructure needed to support Level 4 autonomous vehicles.
The AI track featured Hugo Mouton of Hannover Re, Nir Perry of Cyberwrite, and Jimmy Au of Bolttech, each discussing how AI can improve underwriting, claims management, customer engagement and cyber risk coverage.
Cyber risk was highlighted in a special address by Sie Liang Lau of Samsung Reinsurance and Scott Stransky of Marsh, who discussed Korea’s threat landscape and the analytics insurers use to model cyber exposures.
The conference also emphasized partnership building. A newly introduced Partners Zone showcased companies working in autonomous driving, cyber security and insurtech, including RideFlux, a domestic autonomous‑driving developer. The event expanded its one‑on‑one meeting program to facilitate private negotiations and partnership talks.
The conference concluded with a networking reception on Thursday evening, allowing participants to continue discussions and explore potential collaborations.
The KIIC event underscores the insurance industry’s shift from a compensation‑based model toward proactive resilience and dynamic risk management. It also highlights the growing importance of technology, climate adaptation and cross‑industry collaboration in shaping the future of insurance in Korea and beyond.
Sponsored by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, the two‑day gathering—now in its third year—has become Korea’s largest international insurance forum. It serves as a stage for cross‑border dialogue, knowledge sharing and business partnerships between Korean insurers and global markets.
The opening day began with a general assembly of The LINK, a public‑private‑academic platform created by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance to promote climate adaptation, disaster science innovation and integrated safety governance. Speakers presented tools and frameworks aimed at closing Korea’s protection gap—the difference between total economic losses and losses covered by insurance.
Professor Kim Tae‑yun of Hanyang University unveiled the K‑Risk Barometer, a system that translates social and environmental hazards into standardized indicators. The framework is designed to help insurers spot emerging national risks earlier.
Ha Jong‑mok, director general of the prevention policy bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, outlined a disaster resilience certification program that would allow companies with stronger prevention capabilities to receive favorable insurance pricing.
Professor Jeong Su‑jong of Seoul National University presented research quantifying the physical and economic costs of climate change in Korea. His analysis highlighted the growing challenge posed by uninsurable risks as natural catastrophes become more frequent and severe.
In the second session, participants discussed how to translate risk diagnosis into practical business models. Choi Young‑hwa, head of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance’s Global Loss Control Center, outlined The LINK’s strategic direction and key initiatives. Makoto Yamashiro of Tokio Marine Holdings shared lessons from Japan’s Bosai Consortium CORE, a disaster‑prevention initiative that combines data across industries to develop preventive risk solutions.
Thursday’s agenda shifted to emerging technologies and geopolitical tensions. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance CEO Lee Mun‑hwa delivered opening remarks, followed by welcoming addresses from Hanwha General Insurance CEO Na Chae‑beom and Financial Services Commission Standing Commissioner Ahn Chang‑kuk.
Keynote speakers included Tracy‑Lee Kus of Aon EMEA, who assessed how insurance markets are responding to a complex global risk environment, and Kevin Russell of the McKinsey Global Institute, who discussed AI‑driven industrial transformation. Beatrix Hartinger of Munich Re examined how demographic, economic and technological trends are reshaping property and casualty insurance.
The conference also explored autonomous mobility. Doh Young‑jin, adviser to Hyundai Motor Group, presented on how advances in physical AI could transform mobility and the relationship between automotive and insurance industries. A joint session featuring Nevenka Mattenet of Hartford Steam Boiler and Choi Yoon‑ho of Samsung Electronics examined how connected‑device data can be integrated into insurance operations.
Breakout sessions focused on autonomous mobility and AI‑driven transformation across the insurance value chain. Seoul Institute’s Lee Seol‑young presented the city’s policy framework for autonomous vehicles, while Cheon Ji‑yeon of the Korea Insurance Research Institute discussed regulatory evolution. Min Dong‑han of Autonomous A2Z proposed the insurance and data infrastructure needed to support Level 4 autonomous vehicles.
The AI track featured Hugo Mouton of Hannover Re, Nir Perry of Cyberwrite, and Jimmy Au of Bolttech, each discussing how AI can improve underwriting, claims management, customer engagement and cyber risk coverage.
Cyber risk was highlighted in a special address by Sie Liang Lau of Samsung Reinsurance and Scott Stransky of Marsh, who discussed Korea’s threat landscape and the analytics insurers use to model cyber exposures.
The conference also emphasized partnership building. A newly introduced Partners Zone showcased companies working in autonomous driving, cyber security and insurtech, including RideFlux, a domestic autonomous‑driving developer. The event expanded its one‑on‑one meeting program to facilitate private negotiations and partnership talks.
The conference concluded with a networking reception on Thursday evening, allowing participants to continue discussions and explore potential collaborations.
The KIIC event underscores the insurance industry’s shift from a compensation‑based model toward proactive resilience and dynamic risk management. It also highlights the growing importance of technology, climate adaptation and cross‑industry collaboration in shaping the future of insurance in Korea and beyond.
