On June 9, the Korea Iron & Steel Association (KOSA) held a ceremony to mark the 24th Steel Day, at the Art Hall on the 4th floor of the POSCO Center. The event was attended by approximately 200 representatives from the steel sector, including Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Jang Yeong-jin, Hyundai Steel CEO An Tong-il, the chairman of KOSA, the CEO of Dongkuk Steel, the CEO of KG Steel, the Vice Chairman of SeAH Steel, and the Vice Chairman of TCC Steel.
“We are entering a new era characterized by increased economic uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition o an eco-friendly society, and rapid changes in international relations,” said the KOSA Chairman in his commemorative speech. “The steel industry needs to establish an eco-friendly production system early, strengthen collaborations with demand industries, and enhance the global competitiveness of steel as a sustainable material.” Meanwhile, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Jang Yeong-jin expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the steel industry for upholding their global standing. He particularly called for the adoption and expansion of innovative technologies in the steel industry, maximizing exports, and promoting cooperative partnerships with demand industries such as automobiles and shipbuilding.
Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Jang Yeong-jin gives a congratulatory speech.
Back row, from left: Team Leader Han Hak-soo, Director Kim Jeong-kab, Director Kim Gi-wan
Front row, from left: Director Choi Sun-yong, CEO An Tong-il, Director Kwon Tae-woo
At the ceremony, KOSA held an award ceremony to honor 32 individuals for their contribution to the steel sector, as well as five Iron & Steel Award recipients. From Hyundai Steel, Head of Plates Development Group Kwon Tae-woo received the Silver Tower Industrial Medal. Also Head of Thick Plates Production Group Choi Sun-yong, Head of EAF Raw Material Purchase Group Kim Gi-wan, and Head of Steel Pipe Production Group Kim Jeong-kab received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award. Director Kwon Tae-woo was recognized for his contributions to the development of environmentally friendly steel, including high-strength automotive plates, LNG vessel steel, and offshore wind turbine tower steel.
In the Iron & Steel Awards category, Senior Researcher Han Hak-soo, Leader of the Rolling Process Research Team, received the Steel Technology Encouragement Award. He was honored for his work on “implementing AI-Based smart factories for hot and cold rolling processes.”