[Exclusive] POSCO Candidate Kim Dong-seop "Connection with POSCO since Shell Work... Maximizing Steel Profits by Strengthening Battery"

[POSCO Chairman Candidate Declaration]
"Developing Steel Materials with POSCO at Shell"
Experience as SK Battery Business Head

Kim Dong-seop, President of Korea National Oil Corporation and one of the six finalists for the next chairman of POSCO Group, declared his candidacy, stating, "I will harmoniously promote POSCO's core steel business and the new growth engine of secondary battery materials simultaneously."

In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 2nd, Kim emphasized, "I have experience developing steel products with POSCO at the global energy company Shell and overseeing the battery business at SK."

Kim Dong-seop, President of Korea National Oil Corporation [Photo by Korea National Oil Corporation]

Kim is classified as an "external candidate" and "non-steel" in this final candidate list. He served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at SK Innovation and led SK's battery business. However, he believes that his track record of growing new businesses in the oil industry will also benefit POSCO's growth.

Kim said, "POSCO has its core steel business, and large investments must be made in the growing secondary battery materials business. Through my experience of successfully harmonizing existing businesses with new growth engines, I can contribute to POSCO Group."

Business areas requiring negotiations between countries, such as secondary battery materials like nickel and lithium, are his specialty. Kim stated, "I can negotiate effectively with resource countries related to secondary battery raw materials and eco-friendly new materials."

He also shared his connection with POSCO during his time at Shell. Kim said, "At that time, most high-value-added steel for offshore projects was sourced from Japanese products. Even when POSCO approached American companies saying, 'We also have high-value-added steel,' they would not meet with us." He added, "I proposed to POSCO that we bring together material managers from Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron to present our achievements and product excellence. This led to the approval of high-strength materials."

He continued, "Besides that, I have consistently engaged in discussions with POSCO about developing future materials such as high-manganese steel and have continued site visits."

Kim also revealed POSCO's plans to expand eco-friendly future businesses. He said, "There is sufficient justification for expanding eco-friendly future businesses, including secondary batteries, but since large-scale investments are essential, strong cash generation capabilities will be required." He added, "To generate cash, it is necessary to maximize the profitability of the steel business."

When asked how he would communicate with POSCO's organization as an outsider, he said, "I plan to broaden the scope of communication with an 'outside-in' strategy, viewing things from outside in." Kim explained, "My main expertise is in steel, materials, and welding, so I have had technical exchanges with POSCO. I am also connected with POSCO in the secondary battery and energy industries, so it is not unfamiliar to me."

Kim expressed strong determination to take on the CEO role, saying, "I have a sense of mission to expand the national key industry into a globally influential business. I want to demonstrate leadership that supports and cooperates across all business areas of POSCO Group and achieve world-class management."

As a former CTO, Kim pledged to actively secure technological capabilities. He said, "During my time as a university professor, I researched management and technology, and my main role in companies was 'technology commercialization.'" Kim added, "POSCO Group has well-established infrastructure for technology development, including the Future Technology Research Institute, Pohang Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), and POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology). Leveraging my CTO experience, I will integrate technologies to ensure the company develops in one direction and maintains technological competitiveness."

He said, "My management philosophy is to create an atmosphere and environment where departments and individuals can maximize their inherent potential," adding, "I will become a virtuous leader with leadership that listens well and communicates comfortably so that employees can follow me wholeheartedly."

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