Ko Jaeyoon Appointed as Head of Gwangyang Steelworks: "Securing Unrivaled Competitiveness"

"Advancing as an Eco-Friendly Mobility Materials Steelworks"

POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks announced on the 7th that Ko Jaeyoon has officially taken office as the 17th head of the plant.

In his inaugural address distributed to employees, the new head of Gwangyang Steelworks, Ko Jaeyoon, stated, "Despite unprecedented challenges from low-priced Chinese steel products, Gwangyang Steelworks has led company-wide profit generation through proactive efforts to defend profitability." He added, "Let us strive to become a specialized steelworks for high-quality eco-friendly mobility materials by ensuring a safe workplace and securing unrivaled competitiveness."

Jae-yoon Ko, Gwangyang Steelworks Manager

To achieve these goals, Ko presented five key strategic directions, including 'execution-centered safety activities.'

Emphasizing that safety must be prioritized above all else for 'execution-centered safety activities,' he said, "In order to prevent even a single accident, accurate system reporting and TBM must be carried out, and workers must not engage in unauthorized work."

He continued by encouraging the pursuit of 'stable operations through robust facility management,' stating, "The foundation of Gwangyang Steelworks' competitiveness lies in continuously maintaining stable operations through robust facility management." He added, "Based on a sense of ownership, strengthening the smart predictive maintenance system, and advancing the facility management system, we must conduct thorough inspections and take decisive preventive measures to ensure robust facility operations."

He also urged the creation of an organizational culture where everyone takes ownership, based on 'communication rooted in trust.'

Ko stated, "The most important factor for realizing a healthy organizational culture is trust," and added, "Only when trust comes first can we communicate sincerely with all stakeholders."

He reiterated that the culture of mutual growth with the local community over the past 41 years has enabled the plant to be recognized as the world's best steelworks, and emphasized the need to continue striving to be a company loved by the community. He said, "Let us continue to actively pursue various social contribution activities together with the local community."

Concluding his inaugural address, Ko said, "In this rapidly changing era, we will face many challenges, but based on POSCO's unique crisis-overcoming DNA, let us leap forward to become a specialized steelworks for cutting-edge eco-friendly mobility materials." He added, "I will also take the lead as One-Team with all of you in creating a new history by turning crises into opportunities."

Meanwhile, the new head of Gwangyang Steelworks, Ko Jaeyoon, joined the company in 1994 and has served as Head of Steelmaking at Pohang Steelworks and Deputy Head of Ironmaking at Gwangyang Steelworks.