32 Recipients Including Hyundai Steel's Kwon Tae-woo and POSCO's Park Nam-sik Awarded on 'Steel Day'

Korea Iron & Steel Association, 24th Commemorative Event
"50 Years Since First Steel Production This Year... Even More Meaningful"

On the 9th, 32 meritorious individuals, including Kwon Tae-woo, Executive Director of Hyundai Steel, and Park Nam-sik, Managing Director of POSCO, received orders, medals, and presidential citations from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in celebration of 'Steel Day.'

At the 24th Steel Day commemorative event held at the POSCO Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Executive Director Kwon was awarded the Silver Tower Industrial Medal. He was recognized for his contributions to the development of eco-friendly steel, including ultra-high-strength automotive steel sheets, LNG ship steel, and offshore wind tower steel. Managing Director Park received the Bronze Tower Industrial Medal for his significant contribution to stabilizing steel supply and demand in the industry through proactive response during last year's cold stream flooding.

Kwon Tae-woo, Executive Director of Hyundai Steel, awarded the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit (left), and Park Nam-sik, Managing Director of POSCO, awarded the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit.
[Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy]

Vice President Kim Yi-yong of Nexteel, who contributed to export expansion, and Chairman Im Soon-tae, who contributed to the development of the steel scrap industry, received presidential citations. Professor Choi Dong-ho of Hanyang University, who contributed to the expansion of demand for steel structures, and Executive Director Cho Yong-su of TCC Steel, who contributed to import substitution and competitiveness enhancement through improved manufacturing technology of Seokdo steel sheets, received Prime Minister citations. Twenty-six others, including Director Kim Jin-cheol of HuSteel, received Minister of Industry citations.

The 'Steel Award,' the 40th edition of which was held this year and is presented by the Korea Iron & Steel Association, was awarded to five individuals including Manager Lee Young-chun of POSCO. Established in 1982 to encourage creativity and research and development enthusiasm among steelworkers and contribute to the development of the steel industry, the Steel Award recognized Manager Lee for his contribution to securing technological competitiveness in eco-friendly wind power materials through extreme control technology of impurity elements, awarding him the Steel Technology Award. Han Hak-su, Senior Researcher at Hyundai Steel, Choi Woo-chan, Senior Researcher at Dongkuk CM, and Lee Young-seop, GM at KG Skill, received the Steel Technology Encouragement Award. The Steel Function Award was given to Assistant Manager Cho Dae-in of POSCO for his contribution to improving productivity and operational stability of plating facilities through the self-development of a smart equipment predictive maintenance system.

About 200 steel industry officials attended the 'Steel Day' commemorative event, including Jang Young-jin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Choi Jung-woo, Chairman of the Korea Iron & Steel Association and POSCO Group; Ahn Dong-il, President of Hyundai Steel; Choi Sam-young, CEO of Dongkuk Steel; Park Sung-hee, President of KG Steel; Lee Hwi-ryeong, Vice Chairman of SeAH Steel; and Cho Seok-hee, Vice Chairman of TCC Steel.

In his congratulatory speech, Vice Minister Jang Young-jin commended the efforts of steel industry workers who maintained the global stature despite challenging conditions such as global carbon regulations and raw material supply chain instability. He expressed the government's commitment to active trade responses and support in taxation, finance, and research and development, urging the introduction and dissemination of innovative steel technologies, maximizing exports, and fostering win-win cooperation with demand industries such as automotive and shipbuilding.

The Korea Iron & Steel Association held the 24th Steel Day commemorative event on the 9th at the Art Hall on the 4th floor of the POSCO Center West Building in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, fostering the development and unity of the steel industry. The photo shows Vice Minister Jang Young-jin (front right) and Chairman Choi Jung-woo entering last year's Steel Day commemorative event. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Choi Jung-woo said in his commemorative speech, "Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the world economy faces increased uncertainty, and with the transition to an eco-friendly society and rapid changes in international relations, we are entering a new era." He added, "The steel industry must establish an eco-friendly production system early and strengthen cooperation with demand industries to solidify global competitiveness as an eco-friendly material." He further emphasized, "Let us lead the global steel industry by establishing a steel safety culture through increased investment in safety management systems at production sites and meticulous inspections."

The Korea Iron & Steel Association commemorates June 9 as 'Steel Day' to raise awareness of the importance of steel and to promote unity and pride among steelworkers. This date marks the first production of molten iron in a modern blast furnace in Korea. The association stated, "This year is especially meaningful as it marks the 50th anniversary of the first molten iron production in a modern blast furnace."