Pohang mayor greets steelworkers on morning commute to show solidarity amid trade headwinds

Pohang Mayor Park Yong-seon and senior city officials greeted workers heading to the Pohang Steel Industrial Complex on Monday, taking their message of "harmony and coexistence" — the guiding principle of the city's ninth elected administration — directly to the workers.

The morning send-off was organized to show support for workers at Posco and other companies that form the backbone of Pohang's economy, as the steel industry faces mounting pressure from high US tariffs on steel, the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a flood of low-cost Chinese steel.

Participants held banners reading "A great journey — Pohang and Posco building the future together through harmony and coexistence" and "A new era of steel — we build it together with you, our workers," delivering words of encouragement to employees arriving for their shifts.

The city said it plans to continue visiting local businesses, listening to concerns on the ground and working alongside companies to resolve difficulties as part of an outreach-focused approach to city governance.

"Pohang will continue to express our gratitude and support to the industrial complex workers who are fighting hard for the local economy, and we will work closely with local businesses to provide assistance and overcome this crisis together," Park said.