Gwangyang City 2024 Top CEO Award and Best Employee Award Selection

CEO Lee Kwon-ik of Argomarine Total Co., Ltd., and Top Worker Manager Seong-tae Cho of POSCO Co., Ltd.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do announced the selection of the recipients of the 2021 ‘Best CEO Award’ and ‘Best Worker Award,’ which are given to businesspeople and workers who have made significant contributions to the development of the local community.

This year’s Best CEO Award was given to CEO Lee Kwon-ik of Argomarine Total Co., Ltd., and the Best Worker Award was awarded to Manager Cho Sung-tae of POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks.

Founded in 1997, Argomarine Total Co., Ltd. is a company that provides port logistics services such as inspection, measurement, and certification of import and export ships and cargo at Gwangyang Port, as well as maritime cargo consolidation and brokerage services.

CEO Lee Kwon-ik was highly praised for his transparent and responsible management philosophy, continuously strengthening corporate competitiveness through relentless technological development, and contributing to the development of the local community by returning management profits to the community.

Through continuous research and development investment in the port logistics sector, the company has applied for patents for its loading management program and established overseas sales networks, achieving external growth while aiming to develop Gwangyang Port into an eco-friendly smart port by integrating advanced technology into the logistics field, thereby contributing to the development of Gwangyang Port and the local economy.

In particular, Argomarine Total Co., Ltd. was selected this year for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ ‘Small Business Technology Development Support Project’ and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s ‘Regional Leading Industrial Complex Linked Cooperation Project,’ actively participating in government R&D projects. In July, the company expanded and opened the Argomarine Total R&D Center, demonstrating outstanding achievements in the port logistics sector.

Manager Cho Sung-tae of POSCO, selected for the ‘Best Worker Award,’ joined the company in 1990 and has been exemplary in performing mechanical maintenance duties on the steelworks production line for 31 years, contributing to productivity and quality improvement based on his extensive experience.

Manager Cho has acquired eight professional job certifications, nine life planning certifications, and four social contribution certifications, continuously pursuing self-development. He also leads by example in practicing sharing through community volunteer activities, serving as a role model and inspiration to others.

Additionally, while performing his mechanical maintenance duties on-site, he improved unsafe maintenance processes to prevent industrial accidents and enhanced productivity and quality by improving unreasonable production processes and equipment.

Furthermore, through voluntary social service activities such as participation in the Saemaul Traffic Volunteer Corps, Gwangyang City Traffic Safety Council, and Gwangyang City Smoking Cessation Guidance activities, he has devoted himself to serving the local community with exceptional passion and interest, contributing to the region and society.

Kim Kyung-ho, Vice Mayor and Chairman of the Gwangyang City Corporate Love Merit Review Committee, said, “We thank the awardees for achieving excellent results for the development of the local community despite the difficult economic conditions caused by COVID-19.”

He added, “We will do our best to support businesspeople and workers so that they can enhance their competitiveness in the industrial field and become a strong pillar for the local industry.”

Meanwhile, the Gwangyang City Corporate Award was first introduced in 2012, and until last year, a total of 23 businesspeople have been honored. Awarded companies receive benefits such as additional preferential interest rates on SME loans for three years, priority support for administrative and financial support projects, and invitations to major city events.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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