Mayor-elect Park Yongseon of Pohang Begins First Steps with POSCO, Accelerates Win-Win Cooperation

Paying Tribute at the Memorial Tower

Full-scale Preparations Begin for the 9th Civil-Elected Administration with Briefings on Key Municipal Issues

On June 4, his first day as Mayor-elect of Pohang, Park Yongseon expressed his commitment to focusing the city administration’s capabilities on restoring the local economy and enhancing the competitiveness of regional industries. He met with Jang Inhwa, Chairman of POSCO, to discuss mutual cooperation measures for regional economic recovery and strengthening the competitiveness of the steel industry.

During the meeting, Mayor-elect Park and Chairman Jang shared their perspectives on the current challenges facing the steel industry and the local economy, including the recent global economic slowdown, changes in industrial structure, and declining steel demand.

Park Yongseon, the newly elected mayor of Pohang, met with Jang Inhwa, chairman of POSCO, on the 4th to discuss cooperative measures for regional economic recovery and strengthening the competitiveness of the steel industry. Photo by Park Yongseon

Both sides agreed to further strengthen the cooperation system between Pohang City and POSCO in order to address their shared goals of enhancing the competitiveness of the steel industry and revitalizing the local economy. They pledged to focus on tangible achievements that citizens can recognize, such as expanding opportunities for local companies, fostering mutual growth with partner companies, creating jobs for young people, and nurturing new future industries.

At the meeting, Mayor-elect Park stated, "The growth of POSCO is the growth of Pohang, and the development of Pohang is the competitiveness of POSCO," adding, "Now, as the steel industry faces new challenges, it is time for Pohang City and POSCO to work even more closely together to create new growth engines."

He also emphasized, "POSCO is not only a part of Pohang's history but also the central pillar of the local economy," and promised, "We will expand win-win cooperation models that enable local companies and citizens to grow together, thereby reinvigorating the local economy."

Prior to the meeting, Mayor-elect Park paid his respects at the Memorial Tower together with National Assembly members Kim Jungjae (Pohang Buk-gu) and Lee Sanghui (Pohang Nam-gu and Ulleung), as well as elected members of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Council and the Pohang City Council, as part of his official schedule.

Mayor-elect Park reflected on the noble spirit of sacrifice of the patriotic forebears and fallen war heroes, reaffirming his heavy sense of responsibility for the citizens’ choice and his determination to pursue citizen-centered and field-oriented municipal administration.

After receiving reports on key municipal issues and the operation plans of the transition committee, Mayor-elect Park reviewed the progress of current priority projects and began preparations to further clarify the policy direction and implementation plans for the 9th civil-elected administration.

In particular, he identified support measures for small business owners, self-employed individuals, and small and medium-sized enterprises—who are struggling due to the economic downturn and high inflation—as the top priorities for review. He instructed the administration to concentrate its efforts on developing and implementing livelihood policies that citizens can truly feel.

Mayor-elect Park stated, "As I have consistently emphasized throughout the election campaign, I will devote all my efforts to restoring the local economy and preparing for Pohang’s next leap forward through an administration of communication and harmony. I will deliver results that citizens can experience firsthand, breathe new life into the local economy, and further solidify the foundation for Pohang’s future growth."

Meanwhile, Mayor-elect Park plans to systematically review major municipal issues through the transition committee and further detail the policy direction and execution plans for the 9th civil-elected administration’s key pledges.

He also intends to expand communication with the local political community, the industrial sector, civil society, and expert groups, thereby broadening the foundation for cooperation to overcome Pohang’s crises and ensure sustainable development.

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