Moon Yang-oh, Vice Chairman of Gwangyang City Council, Demands POSCO Headquarters Relocation to Gwangyang

Demand for POSCO's Progressive Change at Gwangyang City Council Extraordinary Session

[Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Moon Yang-o, Vice Chairman of the Gwangyang City Council in Jeollanam-do, has condemned POSCO, demanding that "POSCO, which has only forced sacrifices on the citizens of Gwangyang, immediately relocate its headquarters to Gwangyang."

At the 307th Gwangyang City Council extraordinary session on the 17th, Vice Chairman Moon Yang-o defined the recent decision to establish both the POSCO holding company headquarters and the Future Technology Research Institute headquarters in Pohang as a thorough disregard for the citizens of Gwangyang, and called for a progressive change from POSCO.

In his remarks at the extraordinary session, Vice Chairman Moon said, "The citizens of Gwangyang have long endured giving up their clean living environment and the pains caused by environmental damage from industrialization, sacrificing for POSCO's development with the belief that POSCO and Gwangyang City should pursue mutual growth and prosper together."

He expressed strong regret, stating, "It is truly deplorable that the decision was made to relocate the holding company headquarters and the Future Technology Research Institute headquarters to Pohang without any consultation or understanding with Gwangyang City, which has shared joys and hardships with the Gwangyang Steelworks."

Vice Chairman Moon continued, "I have strong doubts about whether POSCO truly has the will to communicate with our local community, and I even feel anger," adding, "It must be clearly realized that no more sacrifices can be demanded from the citizens of Gwangyang."

He further asserted, "It is well known that the Gwangyang Steelworks drives 60% of POSCO's operating profit," and insisted, "POSCO's headquarters should rightfully be relocated to Gwangyang."

This unusually strong voice from Vice Chairman Moon, who is usually known for his mild demeanor, appears to reflect a strong condemnation of POSCO's neglect of the Gwangyang region and a determination to directly express the local community's voice for a progressive change in how POSCO treats Gwangyang City and its citizens.

Vice Chairman Moon concluded his remarks by urging, "POSCO should actively address environmental issues so that the citizens of Gwangyang can enjoy a safe and pleasant life," and stated that he plans to actively respond to pollution generated by the Gwangyang Steelworks in the future.

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

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