Gwangyang Steelworks, Global Model Citizen Week Begins

Over 10,000 Volunteers to Participate in 8-Day Service Starting from the 9th

Four Themes: On (Warmth), Go (Late), Ji (Wisdom), Shin (New)

POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jin-su) is participating in the ‘Global Model Citizen Week’ under the theme ‘On-go-ji-shin (溫故知新), For a Better World 2.0,’ reflecting its corporate citizenship management philosophy.

‘Global Model Citizen Week’ is a large-scale volunteer week that began in 2010 with the purpose of voluntarily participating in solving problems faced by the global community. Every June, a special volunteer activity week is selected, during which all employees of domestic and overseas group companies participate in volunteer activities.

Volunteers from Gwangyang Steelworks are serving meals at the Gwangyang-eup YWCA free meal service.
Photo by Gwangyang Steelworks

This year’s ‘Global Model Citizen Week’ runs for eight days from June 9 to 16, with approximately 9,975 participants including employees of Gwangyang Steelworks, talent volunteer group members, and partner company staff.

Participants in the volunteer activities will engage in various efforts under four main themes in the Gwangyang area where help is needed: ▲On (溫): volunteering to share warmth with local residents ▲Go (故): volunteering at local landmarks associated with POSCO’s history ▲Ji (知): volunteering with an understanding of the true meaning of service and conveying sincerity ▲Shin (新): volunteering to pass on a beautiful culture of sharing together with the 2030 generation and their seniors. Activities include caring for marginalized groups, ecological preservation, and support for local welfare institutions.

On the first day of the special volunteer week, June 9, Gwangyang Steelworks marked the start by donating tables, ovens, and other items to the Gwangyang-eup YWCA free meal center and delivering prepared side dishes to severely disabled individuals receiving home care.

During the eight-day ‘Global Model Citizen Week,’ Gwangyang Steelworks plans to invigorate the community through the Change My Town movement to improve aging facilities in sister villages and local areas, joint volunteer activities involving about 35 talent volunteer groups, and the launch ceremony of the Smart Care Health Plus project for local seniors.

Lee Jin-su, Director of Gwangyang Steelworks, said, “I hope this Global Model Citizen Week will serve as an opportunity to further activate the corporate citizenship spirit of POSCO, group companies, and partner company employees to live together with the local community.” He added, “Going forward, Gwangyang Steelworks will continue to lead in coexistence with the community by carrying out steady and sincere social contribution activities.”

Employee Bae Jae-woo of the Administrative Public Relations Group at Gwangyang Steelworks, who participated in the volunteer work that day, said, “As a member of Gwangyang Steelworks, I felt proud seeing the sweat forming on my forehead while serving meals, washing dishes, and cleaning at the free meal center.” He added, “I will continue to actively practice the corporate citizenship management philosophy and participate in various social contribution activities of Gwangyang Steelworks.”

Meanwhile, Gwangyang Steelworks established a talent volunteer group in 2014 with the goal of actively utilizing individual talents to unite citizens, volunteers, and companies toward a better society. Currently, 46 talent volunteer groups are actively engaged in various activities.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr