Gwangyang Steelworks Takes Initiative to Preserve the Coastal Environment of Myodo

Collecting Marine Debris with Residents of Myodo Island

Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jin-su) is accelerating its ESG activities by conducting marine cleanup efforts on the coastal villages of Myodo Island in Yeosu on the 17th.

The Gwangyang Steelworks Island Area Clean Marine Guardians Volunteer Group (hereinafter referred to as the Marine Guardians Volunteer Group) carried out environmental cleanup activities along the coastline connecting Ondong Village and Dodok Village on Myodo Island in Yeosu, drawing attention from the local community.

On the 17th, the Gwangyang Steelworks Volunteer Group, local residents, and GS Caltex employees are taking a commemorative photo before conducting coastal environmental cleanup activities on Myodo Island in Yeosu. [Photo by Gwangyang Steelworks]

The cleanup activity held that day was meaningful as it involved all local stakeholders, including the GS Caltex volunteer group, Myodo Regional Development Council, residents' autonomy committee, and women's association, emphasizing environmental conservation in collaboration with the community.

Employees walked along the coastal road near the villages, collecting various trash discarded on the road and beach, as well as debris washed ashore from the sea, handling over 1.5 tons of marine waste.

Previously, the Marine Guardians Volunteer Group was established in 2020 to systematically carry out marine environmental conservation activities in response to the rising social issue of marine litter and the rapid emergence of ESG management philosophy.

Gwangyang Steelworks launched the Marine Guardians Volunteer Group, mainly composed of employees qualified to operate vessels, to promote systematic waste collection activities in Gwangyang Bay, which has a coastline of about 270 km. Through this, the volunteer group can conduct cleanup activities not only along the shores of Gwangyang Bay but also at sea and underwater.

Currently, about 80 Gwangyang Steelworks employees and retirees are active in the Marine Guardians Volunteer Group, which has conducted 60 cleanup activities totaling over 1,200 hours since its inception.

The Marine Guardians Volunteer Group supports the cost of obtaining vessel operation licenses for its members to enhance their expertise in marine cleanup activities and ensures smooth cleanup operations by providing vessel rental fees and waste collection supplies.

Additionally, by collaborating with Gwangyang City Hall and local fishing communities, the group has increased participation, contributing to more effective cleanup activities.

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

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