Gwangyang Steelworks Participates in Eco-Friendly Campaign 'Gapuljiu'... Leading ESG by Collecting Marine Waste

Domestic Largest Eco-Friendly Coalition 'Gapuljiu' as Part of Eco-Friendly Campaign

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters reporter Heo Seonsik] POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jinsu) actively practiced the corporate citizenship management philosophy by participating in the ‘Gaplejiu’ coastal cleanup activity ‘Sea of the Month’ at Taein-dong Baealdo Waterfront Park on the 2nd.

Gaplejiu is an acronym for ‘Take away plastic, protect our sea,’ and is the largest eco-friendly coalition in Korea formed by leading domestic companies including △Emart, which organizes the campaign, △Resource Circulation Social Solidarity, △Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, and other NGOs and government agencies.

In April this year, POSCO signed an eco-friendly campaign agreement for ‘Gaplejiu’ and has been participating throughout the year in △advancing plastic collection campaigns △strengthening collaboration by brand and customer promotions △expanding coastal cleanup activities △enhancing marine environment education.

The coastal cleanup activity held at Baealdo Waterfront Park on this day was attended by 117 people including POSCO Marketing Headquarters executives such as Marketing Strategy Director Eom Gicheon, Gwangyang Steelworks Clean Ocean Volunteer Group, island area clean marine guardian volunteer groups, Emart executives including Center Director Hyeong Taejun of the Sustainable Innovation Center, local volunteer groups such as Youik Company, and Ministry of Environment university student supporters.

As a large-scale joint event, volunteers were divided into two groups to collect marine waste such as abandoned plastics and fishing gear around Baealdo Waterfront Park, and they worked hard to pull abandoned fishing nets from the water.

The Gwangyang Steelworks Clean Ocean Volunteer Group, along with some members, took boats to nearby uninhabited islands with few people to help eliminate marine waste blind spots. In addition, Clean Ocean volunteers with skin diving licenses attracted attention by entering the sea themselves to collect underwater marine waste.

Jung Joongyoung, head of the Gwangyang Steelworks Clean Ocean Volunteer Group who participated in the volunteer work, said, “Through participation in the Gaplejiu eco-friendly campaign, I hope our small efforts will come together to help create a clean Earth,” and added, “We will expand our activities from near the steelworks to Namhae and Yeosu, and continue to take the lead in protecting the marine ecosystem throughout the Jeonnam region.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr