Lee Jae-wook, Former Honorary Chairman of Nokia, Donates 186 Artifacts to Changwon Special City

All Mobile Phone Models Produced at Masan Factory

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam presented a certificate of donation and a plaque of appreciation to Lee Jae-wook, Honorary Chairman of former Nokia TMC, who donated artifacts related to the mobile industry for the establishment of the Changwon Museum.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Song Jong-gu] On the morning of the 11th at 10 a.m., Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam presented a certificate of donation and a plaque of appreciation to Lee Jae-wook, Honorary Chairman of former Nokia TMC, who donated mobile industry-related artifacts for the establishment of the Changwon Museum, in the reception room.

Nokia TMC is the first company in Korea to produce mobile phones since it settled in the Masan Free Trade Zone in 1984.

Nokia was originally established as Tandymobira, a wireless device manufacturing company jointly founded by the United States and Finland. Later, Nokia acquired all shares, leading to the creation of Nokia TMC. From 1998 to 2010, it held the number one global market share in mobile phones for 13 years and significantly contributed to the regional economic development as a leader driving the economy of the Changwon area, especially after the IMF financial crisis.

At the donation ceremony, Honorary Chairman Lee Jae-wook and Lee Young-hwan, Chairman of the Bongnim Scholarship Foundation, attended. Chairman Lee donated all models of mobile phones produced at the Nokia Masan factory, including the first mobile phone produced in Korea. At the same time, industrial medals awarded to Chairman Lee were also presented.

Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, “This is a valuable resource that highlights the evolution of mobile phone devices in Korea and allows us to examine excellent manufacturing technology,” adding, “We are grateful for the meaningful artifacts donated by Nokia TMC, which led the economy of the Changwon region during the difficult period of the IMF financial crisis.”

Honorary Chairman Lee responded, “Nokia’s greatest honor was achieved in Changwon,” and said, “I hope the Changwon Museum will be built soon so that many citizens can share the mobile phones produced by Nokia TMC.”