The results of Best Workplaces in Korea for 2026 have been announced, marking another milestone in the nation’s trust-based management movement. The program is supervised by the Great Place to Work (GPTW) Institute, a global trust management evaluation organization in the United States, and hosted by GPTW Korea.

Now in its 24th year since its launch in Korea in 2002, the Best Workplaces in Korea program evaluates and recognizes organizations that place employee satisfaction and happiness at the center of management. It is a global standard evaluation system that selects companies in the same way in 180 countries around the world, similar to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and Best Workplaces in Europe and Japan.

Merz Aesthetics Korea was named the No. 1 Best Workplaces in Korea list, securing the top position for the second consecutive year and marking its fourth year on the list. The global medical aesthetics company continues to fulfill its mission of helping people live better, more confident lives through strong alignment with its vision and active employee engagement.

Atomy ranked second, making the list for six consecutive years while also achieving a triple crown this year: Best Workplaces in Korea, Global ESG Human Rights Management Certification and Best Workplace for Parents. Under his “cherish the soul” philosophy, Chairman Park Han-gil stresses that people must be treated as an end rather than the means, earning him the Korea’s Most Respected CEO title for six straight years as he helps Atomy maintain a GPTW-certified culture.

Third place went to WISEWIRES, a global software testing specialist, continuing its long run of recognition after making the list for 13 consecutive years. The company has cultivated a culture that combines technological innovation and employee growth, strengthening artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities through monthly AI seminars and review sessions and introducing AI chatbots for a smarter work environment.

The assessment for great workplaces is composed of the trust index (weighted at 75 percent) and the culture audit (25 percent). The trust index is widely regarded as the world’s only workplace evaluation system based entirely on employees’ direct assessment, measuring credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie across 15 evaluation elements and 60 survey statements.

According to this year’s findings, companies selected as Best Workplaces in Korea demonstrated striking performance advantages over general companies.

Voluntary turnover rates were half that of typical organizations, while profitability was 3.3 times higher. Employee engagement levels were 4 times greater, and the proportion of employees expressing pride in their workplace was 8 times higher.

Notably, the percentage of employees who wished to remain longer at their company was 13 times higher than that of general firms. Additionally, 86 percent of employees said they would recommend their company to friends and family, underscoring the strong link between trust and employer brand competitiveness.

Experts noted that the data confirms a structural shift that trust-based culture has become a measurable driver of financial performance and talent retention, and a decisive strategic asset in an era of rapid technological change.

Source: Korea Times News