POSCO Group Holds 'Global Volunteer Week' in 23 Countries with 24,000 Employees Participating

Chairman Jang Inhwa Participates in Volunteer Work at Jungsan 1-ri in Pohang
Safe Village Initiative and Overseas Education Support Launched

POSCO Group announced on the 7th that it is holding the "2026 Global Volunteer Week," its largest annual social contribution campaign, with the participation of employees from all its domestic and international affiliates, for nine days starting from the 4th.

Jang Inhwa, Chairman of POSCO Group (second from the left in the photo), together with volunteers, is removing fallen leaves and twigs around the stream in Jungsan 1-ri, Pohang, using wildfire suppression equipment made with POSCO steel to prepare for heavy rain and wildfires on the 4th. POSCO Group

Global Volunteer Week is POSCO Group's flagship social contribution program. Each year, a special volunteer week is designated in May or June, during which approximately 24,000 employees from 23 countries participate in volunteer activities. The activities are tailored to the specific needs of each country and region. This year marks the 17th anniversary of the program.

On the first day of Volunteer Week, June 4, Jang Inhwa, Chairman of POSCO Group, visited Jungsan 1-ri in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, and joined about 200 group employees in the "Safe Village" initiative. Participants installed safety handrails on the village pavilion stairs and removed fallen leaves and twigs near the stream, carrying out environmental improvement work to prevent fires and disasters.

Jungsan 1-ri is located near Naeyeonsan and Cheollyeongsan mountains and is considered a high-risk area where forest fires can quickly develop into large-scale blazes. The village has a high proportion of elderly residents, which makes prompt response in the event of a disaster challenging.

POSCO Group employees replaced old fences with steel fences made from POSCO Group steel and distributed safety kits to residents, which included spray-type fire extinguishers, LED sensor lights, and automatic fire-extinguishing power strips. They also used wildfire suppression equipment made with POSCO steel to remove fallen leaves and twigs around the stream, and conducted a demonstration of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based wildfire detection system using advanced CCTV and drones together with local firefighters.

POSCO Group also collaborated with ARK, an AI healthcare company, to provide a health management program for elderly residents. The program included pre-checkups and AI platform-based diagnoses of blood pressure, blood sugar, cardiovascular health, and cognitive health.

This initiative was carried out in connection with "Change My Town," the flagship project of the POSCO 1% Sharing Foundation, which is funded by employee salary donations of 1%. Change My Town is a participatory social contribution program that identifies and improves deteriorated spaces in local communities.

In addition, various volunteer activities are being carried out by each group affiliate, such as improving living conditions for vulnerable groups, flattening access roads, and providing rehabilitation exercise equipment. Overseas subsidiaries in countries such as Vietnam and Myanmar also continue to engage in localized social contribution efforts, including repairing playground facilities for children and supporting IT infrastructure for schools for the blind.

A POSCO Holdings representative stated, "Global Volunteer Week is a meaningful time when POSCO Group employees around the world come together to practice sharing," adding, "We will continue to listen to local communities and pursue social contribution activities that provide tangible help."

Meanwhile, since the launch of the POSCO Volunteer Corps in 2003, POSCO Group has continued to engage in sharing activities in communities in need. Through the POSCO 1% Sharing Foundation, which is operated by voluntary employee donations and company matching grants, various social contribution projects are being continuously promoted.

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