Kim Hak-dong, Vice Chairman of POSCO, Visits Pohang Steelworks... "Let's Build a 100-Year Steel Company Together"

Kim Hak-dong, Vice Chairman and CEO of POSCO (left), is delivering encouragement supplies to an employee at the 3rd Steel Plant and taking a commemorative photo.
Photo by POSCO

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] POSCO announced on the 6th that Kim Hak-dong, who was appointed as Vice Chairman and CEO on the 2nd, took his first step after inauguration by visiting the Pohang Steelworks on the 4th to intensify on-site management.

On that day, Vice Chairman Kim Hak-dong visited the No. 3 Steelmaking Plant at Pohang Steelworks, where the fine adjustment of molten steel components and various carbon steel specifications are determined according to customer requirements such as strength, to encourage the on-site workers.

Kim Hak-dong emphasized, “The first stage of World Premium products is determined in the steelmaking process,” and added, “While it is important to continuously develop and produce the world’s best products, the most important thing at Pohang Steelworks is safety.”

He urged, “The principle of safety is the top priority value that must never be compromised under any circumstances. Productivity is important, but please do not rush and prioritize safety so that all on-site members can work without injury and in good health.”

He then proceeded to the No. 2 Hot Rolling Plant. There, he inspected the smart integrated control room that can manage the entire hot rolling process in one place and offered words of encouragement to the employees.

He said, “The No. 2 Hot Rolling Plant is a digital twin model plant and a model site for smart factories,” and encouraged, “I hope it will become the world’s best plant by further developing ideas through active discussions with employees.” He continued, “I thank the employees who have worked hard to protect the operation site amid the spread of COVID-19, and I ask for a little more effort to overcome the COVID-19 crisis even amid the spread of Omicron.”

Finally, Vice Chairman Kim concluded his on-site visit by visiting the Process Testing Center, where the quality of the produced products is inspected. Kim Hak-dong said, “POSCO’s pride comes from the world’s best quality,” and urged, “Please conduct thorough inspections with the mindset that quality is the foundation of the steelworks’ reputation.”

Along with this, he expressed gratitude to the employees, saying, “The crystallization of the sweat and efforts of all employees has created today’s POSCO,” and encouraged participation in the leap toward a sustainable 100-year steel company by saying, “In the rapidly changing management environment, let us move forward with pride and confidence to pass on a POSCO that is more proud than today to future generations 50 years from now.”

Moreover, Kim Hak-dong encouraged the employees by saying, “As a corporate citizen, let the steel business continue to be a strong pillar of the POSCO Group and a role model that can lead other businesses, creating a virtuous cycle of co-growth with the local community, as it has been so far.”

Kim Hak-dong plans to continue his on-site management activities by visiting the Gwangyang Steelworks on the 7th.

Meanwhile, POSCO has transformed its management structure to separate and focus on the steel business for swift decision-making and meticulous management, appointing Kim Hak-dong as the first CEO.

Kim Hak-dong is a steel expert. He presented as his inaugural message the vision of a steel company with the world’s best competitiveness based on safety and eco-friendliness, a corporate citizen steel company that develops together with stakeholders such as employees, customers, suppliers, and local communities, and expressed his ambition to build a sustainable 100-year steel company, POSCO.

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