Gwangyang Steelworks Takes Initiative to Practice the Value of Togetherness with Local Community

Gwangyang Steelworks' Extensive Volunteer Activities for 'Global Volunteer Week'

Environmental Improvement · Cultural Performances · Care for Underprivileged Groups · Talent Donation Activities

Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Dong-ryeol) held a large-scale volunteer activity across various areas of Gwangyang City as part of the ‘2024 Global Volunteer Week’ which began on the 23rd, with talent volunteer groups, department volunteer teams, and employees participating together.

The ‘Global Volunteer Week’ is a large-scale volunteer week conducted company-wide by POSCO, held annually since 2010.

Employees of the 2nd Continuous Casting Plant in the Steelmaking Department at Gwangyang Steelworks delivered about 20 fans to Hapo Village, a sister village in the region, to prepare for the summer season.

This year’s ‘Global Volunteer Week’ carries the slogan ‘Walking Together Through Service’ and involves contribution activities aimed at continuing warm companionship with the local community. Approximately 9,000 participants including Gwangyang Steelworks employees, talent volunteers, and partner company staff are taking part in this volunteer week.

Accordingly, starting from the 23rd, volunteer activities involving a large number of Gwangyang Steelworks employees and talent volunteers were carried out, including environmental improvements, cultural performances, care for marginalized groups, and talent donation activities for local residents.

First, on the 23rd, about 20 employees from the Steelmaking Department’s 2nd Continuous Casting Plant installed and replaced insect screens, cleaned air conditioning units, and improved the environment of the village hall in Hapomaru, a sister village of Gwangyang Steelworks, providing residents with a cleaner living environment.

In addition, employees personally delivered more than 20 fans to help village residents stay cool during the hot summer, sharing the warm value of giving.

Notably, this activity was carried out in connection with POSCO’s ‘Change My Town’ program, giving it special significance.

The ‘Change My Town’ program is a community-based initiative where employees identify local issues, propose ideas for contribution activities to solve them, and selected ideas are supported by voluntary employee donations to carry out volunteer work.

On the 24th, the Gwangyang Steelworks Clean Ocean Talent Volunteer Group conducted marine cleanup activities at Hallyeohaesang National Park together with POSCO DX and the Hallyeohaesang National Park Volunteer Group.

In particular, the Clean Ocean Talent Volunteer Group wore scuba diving gear and entered the sea to collect marine waste such as discarded fishing gear and nets, and removed harmful organisms like crown-of-thorns starfish that negatively impact the marine ecosystem, making a significant contribution.

Additionally, through activities such as the Balrocha Volunteer Group’s mural painting and environmental cleanup at Gwangyeong Love Nursing Home, the Soul Saxophone Volunteer Group’s saxophone talent donation performance at Baegun Shopping Center, and the Cold Rolling Department employees’ agricultural product shopping event at Okgok Market, volunteers practiced ‘Walking Together Through Service’ with local seniors and small business owners.

During the following weekend, Gwangyang Steelworks employees and volunteer groups continued their dedication to contribution activities, extending warm hands of sharing to the local community.

On the 25th, the Mulangae Volunteer Group, mainly composed of Hot Rolling Department employees, supported by the ‘Change My Town’ program, held a saxophone cultural performance for local seniors at Jinwol-myeon Children’s Village to provide emotional support. Meanwhile, Cold Rolling Department employees collected trash discarded along the coast near Baealdo, helping to make ‘Baealdo, a Pleasant Walking Spot’ for citizens and tourists.

Partner companies of Gwangyang Steelworks also actively participated in volunteer activities, adding special meaning to the ‘Global Volunteer Week’ conducted with the purpose of walking together with the local community.

About 60 members of the Love Sharing Volunteer Group, composed of employees from Gwangyang Enterprises, a partner company of Gwangyang Steelworks, conducted home environment improvement volunteer activities for elderly living alone in Goryak-dong together with volunteer members from Gwangyang City Hall and Goryak-dong Office on the 25th and 26th, helping seniors live in a more comfortable and clean living environment.

Lee Dong-ryeol, Director of Gwangyang Steelworks, said, “Our Gwangyang Steelworks has carried out large-scale community-based volunteer activities that the local community can directly feel during this Global Volunteer Week,” and added, “We will continue ‘Walking Together Through Service’ so that Gwangyang Steelworks can remain a reliable friend of Gwangyang City.”