Gwangyang Steelworks Employee Honored with Induction into POSCO Hall of Fame

Technical Development and Productivity Improvement Recognized: Hot Rolling Team Leader Cho Young-seok Awarded POSCO Grand Prize

Jeonseon Team Yang Sung-mo and Heavy Plate Team Chief Choi Young-il Achieve 10,000 Hours of Volunteer Service with Famil

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Three employees of Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jin-su), who enhanced the company's competitiveness and elevated its status, have been honored by being inducted into the POSCO Hall of Fame. They will be listed in the Hall of Fame for three years as temporary inductees.

Jo Young-seok, leader of the Hot Rolling Department at Gwangyang Steelworks, joined POSCO in March 1995 and increased the quality, productivity, and profitability of hot-rolled products through operational technology development. He was awarded the 2022 POSCO Grand Prize on the 29th of last month and had his name added to the Hall of Fame.

In particular, he was recognized for his contributions to continuous cost reduction based on various reform tasks and process smartization.

Leader Jo Young-seok said, “I feel proud to have contributed, albeit modestly, to continuing POSCO’s history, which began with steel for the nation, into the spirit of corporate citizenship,” adding, “I will continue to strive to be a leader who thinks intensely and executes decisively and boldly.”

Along with him, Yang Seong-mo, chief of the Ironmaking Department, and Choi Young-il, chief of the Plate Department at Gwangyang Steelworks, were selected as Hall of Fame inductees for achieving over 10,000 hours of volunteer work each with their families and demonstrating exemplary social contribution activities.

Chief Yang Seong-mo began his full-fledged volunteer path in 2010 through free meal service at Jungma Senior Welfare Center and has worked hard to provide practical help to neighbors in the community, even obtaining a wallpapering certificate.

Recently, as the head of the ‘Bogumjari Organizing Talent Volunteer Group’ and the ‘Wooroe Stepping Stone Volunteer Group,’ he has improved the poor living conditions of disabled people and elderly living alone, and actively practiced neighborly love by directly engaging with local residents through birthday meal preparations and side dish deliveries.

Chief Yang Seong-mo said, “When couples volunteer together, they learn to consider and understand each other, and encouragement helps with difficult tasks. I strongly recommend starting volunteer activities with your spouse,” adding, “If you share a little of your talents, passion, and time with neighbors around you, the smiles and gratitude of the beneficiaries return to me as fulfillment and happiness.”

Chief Choi Young-il began volunteering in 2004 as the head of the Hanul Volunteer Group at Suncheon Jeil University and has since spread a culture of sharing in the local community across various fields.

He currently works with the ‘Love Sharing Volunteer Group,’ delivering warm meals to neighbors in need at the Gwangyang YWCA free meal center, and leads the realization of corporate citizenship management philosophy through various talent volunteer groups at Gwangyang Steelworks, including foot massage, eco-friendly activities, knitting, and flower arranging.

Chief Choi Young-il said, “Some people ask if volunteering is hard, but through volunteering, you learn how to consider others. It is always enjoyable and happy,” adding, “Ultimately, volunteering is for myself. The key is to find your own path that you can enjoy and sustain for a long time.”

Meanwhile, since 2021, POSCO has been inducting employees who have made outstanding contributions to the company’s development and innovation into the Hall of Fame to motivate its staff. Founding members, former CEOs, masters, and experts who have made significant contributions to the company’s founding, development, and innovation, achieved monumental results, and enhanced the company’s honor are permanently inducted. Winners of the POSCO Grand Prize, CEO personal commendations, government medals and commendations, and outstanding social contribution performers are temporary inductees for three years.