Vice Chairman Jang Se-uk of Dongkuk Steel said in a New Year's message on the 2nd that "we must not fall behind the times, including in AI and humanoids."
Vice Chairman Jang stated accordingly as he began his first schedule of the year at the Incheon plant that day. Jang has begun his first official schedule of the New Year with "on-site management" since 2024.
Jang arrived at the Incheon plant around 5 a.m., changed into work clothes at the main building, then boarded a shuttle bus to visit the site. He then walked through all lines, including the 120-ton (t) steelmaking and No. 1 rolling, and the 100 t steelmaking and No. 2 rolling.
Jang exchanged New Year's greetings with on-site workers and checked newly introduced heat treatment automation equipment. On the way back, he stopped by the welfare center and had breakfast with the labor union chair and managers.
At the meeting, Jang said, "We must not fall behind the times, including in artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoids," adding, "We need to seek out opportunities more actively with a broader perspective, including overseas exports."
That day, Dongkuk Steel, including Dongkuk Steel Mill and Dongkuk CM, also held 2026 kickoff ceremonies at the Ferrum Tower headquarters in Euljiro and at regional business sites.
Dongkuk Steel Mill headquarters held a brief kickoff ceremony of about 30 minutes aligned with the start time of the first work of the New Year in the office. It presented the Songwon Award to top-performing individuals and teams and began the first work with President Choi Sam-young's New Year's message. At the Incheon, Pohang and Dangjin plants, executives and employees also gathered in auditoriums to present model employee awards and carry out the first schedule of the year.
In his New Year's message, President Choi Sam-young said, "This year's management goal is a 'leap' beyond 'recovery,'" adding, "Let's internalize 'resilience' that accurately assesses situations and responds quickly to change."
He added, "Digital innovation, including AI, is essential, and let's shift to an execution-focused organization rather than one driven by plans."
Dongkuk CM held a safety prayer ritual and a kickoff ceremony at the Busan plant under the supervision of the CEO. President Park Sang-hoon's New Year's message and the presentation of the Songwon Award and model employee awards followed.
In his New Year's message, President Park Sang-hoon said, "Rather than blaming the changing market, we must adapt to the change and find ways to break through," adding, "The roles of each person at Dongkuk CM, who do not neglect even small things, will come together to create differentiated competitiveness."