OREANDA-NEWS. April 16, 2013. POSCO`s employees declared a `pledge for a new start` as part of the company`s 45th founding anniversary, emphasizing their will to overcome the crisis due to global economic stagnation and be reborn as a `loved company.` CEO Chung Joonyang and 800 employees attended the ceremony commemorating the 45th founding anniversary of the company, held at the Gwangyang Baekun Art Hall.

Employees, together with the Gwangyang City Resident Self-Administration Center Women`s Society, prepared Namdo samulnori and drum performances as the opening of the event so all attendees could enjoy, and the POSCO Family Choir delivered the meaning of harmony and win-win through a bright and powerful song.

CEO Chung Joonyang, in his speech commemorating the founding, expressed his determination and will for the entire POSCO Family to seek greater harmony and unity to overcome the recent difficult management environment.

CEO Chung said, ``POSCO was born under President Park Chung-hee`s determination and planning that a steelworks is necessary for a country to modernize,`` quoting Honorary Chairman Park Tae Joon`s last speech, ``POSCO`s current name value which is based on the past 45 years of the founding generation`s inheritance is only temporary, so we must not become haughty or settle into thinking that we are currently the leader of the steel industry.``

He also emphasized, ``The current era which is requiring economic creation is no different from POSCO`s founding spirit of creating `something` from `nothing,` so we must rearm ourselves with our founding spirit to complete an epochal task of becoming a forever global No. 1 steel company.``

CEO Chung also explained, ``The thanks sharing activities currently in execution are an upgraded version of POSCO`s mind of sacrifice and mission that has been carried down for the past 45 years,`` adding, ``Let us use it as the driving force for all of our stakeholders` recovery, harmony, and happiness including our colleagues and families, external partner companies, and local society.``

Group Leader Kim Hee and Yu Dal San elucidated the will to be reborn as a `loved company` through the reading of `Our Pledge for a New Start,` and emphasized that they will lead efforts in creating a healthy and happy society as a good corporate citizen.

CEO Chung, in response, sent a text message to all employees stating ``I would like to thank you for your pledge and hope that this small expression of gratitude can become a seed which replenishes the family, workplace, and entire society with happiness.``

A thanks sharing case exhibition was held prior to the commemorative ceremony at the Baekun Art Hall Lobby. Employees were able to share the necessity and effects of thanks sharing at the exhibition. CEO Chung Joonyang`s handwritten thank you card thanking employees` commitment to the company and colleagues with an owner`s mind as well as a lucky four-leaf clover was offered through a lucky drawing.

After the ceremony, CEO Chung Joonyang, officers, and labor committee members visited the Gwangyeong-dong children`s playground of the City of Gwangyang, painting and repairing playground equipment, while officers in Seoul visited the Shinnae Nursing Home and carried out volunteer activities to form a flower garden, harmonizing with the local community.

Meanwhile, domestic and overseas POSCO Family employees who could not directly attend the commemorative event shared celebratory messages online while watching the ceremony live via the company`s intranet, bringing together the entire POSCO Family to reflect on the meaning of foundation and share the joy.