Assemblyman Lee Gaeho Seeks Solutions for Gwangyang Bay Steel Industry Facing Crisis

Policy Forum on "Crisis and Response Measures for the Steel Industry"
Held at Suncheon National University on the 10th with Experts

Lee Gaeho is delivering a greeting at a policy forum titled "Crisis and Response Measures in the Steel Industry" held at Suncheon National University on the 10th. Photo by Lee Gaeho's office

The office of Assemblyman Lee Gaeho and Suncheon National University (President Lee Byungwoon) jointly held a policy forum on the theme of "The Era of Energy Transition: Crisis and Response Measures for Jeollanam-do's Steel Industry" at the main conference hall of the Suncheon National University Museum on the 10th. The forum addressed the direction the Gwangyang Bay steel industry should take amid rapidly changing industrial environments.

In his opening remarks, Assemblyman Lee Gaeho (Democratic Party of Korea, representing Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, and Jangseong) stated, "The steel sector, which is a leading industry in Jeollanam-do, is facing complex challenges such as sluggish domestic demand, global oversupply, stronger trade regulations, and pressure to transition to carbon neutrality. Fundamental structural improvements are now required." He emphasized, "In the short term, it is essential to support the development and production of promising future materials centered on electric arc furnaces. In the long term, it is crucial to establish hydrogen-based steelmaking technologies and systems for high value-added product development and production. Both the region and the nation must work together to ensure that Jeollanam-do's steel industry, a driving force for the province's growth, can build a sustainable ecosystem."

During the forum, experts unanimously identified the following as key prerequisites for securing the future competitiveness of Jeollanam-do's steel industry: increasing the value-added of products, introducing eco-friendly steelmaking processes, and restructuring the industrial framework of the Gwangyang Bay area. They stressed that only when technological innovation, expanded professional education, policy support, and the regional industrial economy operate in an integrated and collaborative system can Jeollanam-do's steel industry overcome its current crisis and secure new growth drivers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.