POSCO Selects 'POSCO Masters' for 2021

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoonju Hwang] POSCO has selected two 'POSCO Masters' in 2021 who possess world-class technical expertise and know-how.

Choi Jung-woo, Chairman of POSCO Group, recently awarded the POSCO Master plaques to Deputy General Manager Kim Su-hak of the Pohang Blast Furnace Department and Manager Son Kwang-ho of the Gwangyang Cold Rolling Department at the July Group Operations Meeting.

Chairman Choi said, "I hope the efforts and passion of the two POSCO Masters will spread and inspire many employees to challenge themselves to become masters. I also ask that they continue to lead the strengthening of on-site competitiveness as role models of 'technical personnel,' the source of the company's competitiveness, and lead the role of corporate citizenship."

Master Kim Su-hak, who joined in 1986, is a top expert with technologies in blast furnace refractory construction, drying, and hearth repair, holding a Korean patent related to refractory hot air drying equipment. Master Kim developed the refractory hot air drying equipment, automated the related construction method, and optimized the tapping pattern, achieving groundbreaking results.

Master Son Kwang-ho, who joined in 1990, is the leading authority in cold rolling thickness control and the youngest POSCO Master in history. Cold rolling is a process that produces cold-rolled steel sheets by passing thick hot-rolled coils through multiple rollers to thin them. Master Son developed AI-based load prediction technology, reducing thickness defects by more than 70% compared to before.

Employees selected as POSCO Masters receive a special promotion of one rank, a prize worth approximately 20 million KRW, and five days of special leave. Furthermore, outstanding masters may advance to executive positions in the future.

The two POSCO Masters selected this day will be permanently enshrined in the POSCO Hall of Fame located within 'Park1538,' a newly opened high-end complex cultural space near POSCO headquarters in Pohang, alongside 19 existing masters. The POSCO Hall of Fame commemorates and honors the achievements of POSCO employees who have illuminated the company, including founding members, former CEOs, and past technical experts and masters.

Meanwhile, since 2015, POSCO has been selecting POSCO Masters annually through a rigorous screening process to enhance the company's technological competitiveness. POSCO Masters contribute to improving the company's technological competitiveness through various activities such as transferring specialized skills, giving special lectures to new employees and in-house university students, and conducting equipment management lectures for partner companies and customers. Even after retirement, they are rehired as technical consultants to pass on their skills and know-how to younger generations.