69th Anniversary Commemorative Address for Hyundai Steel

Even though the surrounding greenery is similar to last year,
now that we are finally nearing the end of the COVID era,
each blade of grass and each green tree seems to carry a new meaning this year.

Even though the pandemic is not yet completely over,
I would like to express my gratitude to all Hyundai Steelers,
who have endured many challenges and difficulties in the past couple of years.

Now that we are coming upon a period of full recovery,
it is time to prudently select from among the new work methods and lifestyles
that have been adopted over the past two years by discarding unneeded practices
and incorporating those that need to be used into new formats.

In addition, by reestablishing the values that we need to protect,
we must achieve true recovery to lay the foundation for growth and development
rather than simply return to the past.
I believe this can be realized by committing ourselves to the following three values.

First. Safety, our foremost value

While we urge and emphasize the value of safety at every opportunity,
we are still losing some of our colleagues for the most absurd reasons.
I earnestly hope that safety accidents never happen again in our workplace.

I stress again and again
that the most fundamental way to prevent accidents
is to identify and mitigate risk factors based on our own safety system
that has been built over a prolonged period of time.
We must do this with the same mindset as that we do for our family and children.
We’ll also continue to make investments on safety.

I ask all employees to put forward, without hesitation,
any safety-related thoughts and opinions or any newly identified risk factors
so that we can all work together in creating a safe workplace.

Second. Interest in and practice of ESG

Environment, Social, and Governance.
These are the virtues that are constantly being emphasized in today’s industrial society,
going beyond the practical tasks of corporate management.
The social roles of companies and their expectations regarding ESG
are ever expanding and growing.

Today, the evaluation criteria for corporate sustainability
give priority to the realization of social value
over any profit structure or market competitiveness.

All of us need to reflect on whether our work methods
and objectives are in line with the virtues pursued by society.
We need to embody these values in order to practice them in our daily life.

Third. Growth of corporate culture

Corporate culture is the key indicator of the psychological level of an institution.

Going beyond simply creating a congenial and harmonious atmosphere,
each one of us must share the company’s common goals
and reflect upon the fundamental meanings of our roles and responsibilities
so as to possess a sense of responsibility and vocation.

Furthermore, we need to select from and apply the new methods and customs
that have been put in place during the pandemic and take them in a direction
that promotes our staff and organization and establish a sound corporate culture.

We also need to be vigilant and thorough examine
whether there are any leaks in our corporate competitiveness.

If we are able to establish our own unique culture through these efforts,
we will be able to secure an ideal organization
of growth and contentment.

My fellow associates,
The Hyundai Steel that you see today
is the result of the creative and refinement efforts of our predecessors
who have dedicated themselves to the company over the past 69 years.

In the same context,
please remember that we are now creating the Hyundai Steel
where we and our successors will take part in the many years and many decades to come.

A workplace with a safe environment.
Jobs that align with social values.
A company where we can work with a sense of achievement.
These are the results that will be accomplished through our mindset and actions.

On the morning of our 69th anniversary,
as we look back on our yesterdays and today and envision our tomorrows,
I hope you will have a meaningful time celebrating and encouraging each other.
I wish good health and happiness to all of you and your families.

June 10, 2022
An Tong-il
President & CEO