Dongkuk Steel Mill Group marks 72nd anniversary with 'corporate refounding' declaration

Dongkuk Steel Mill Group marked its 72nd anniversary Tuesday by declaring a "corporate refounding" and calling for sweeping organizational innovation.

The group held anniversary ceremonies at its Ferrum Tower headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, and at worksites across the country. Dongkuk Holdings, Dongkuk Steel Mill and Dongkuk Coated Metal all observe July 7 as a shared founding anniversary, tracing their origins to the founding spirit of the original Dongkuk Steel Mill — now Dongkuk Holdings.

Vice Chairman Jang Se-wook centered his commemorative address on the concept of "Corporate Refounding," saying the AI era demands more than simply adopting new technology — it requires companies to rethink their reason for existence and redesign their organizations from the ground up.

"We need to ask ourselves whether, if we were starting the company today, we would build the same organization we have now," Jang said. "Let us guard against complacency and inertia, and strive to be people who can lead the way and set direction at this moment of change." He also urged employees to use the 72nd anniversary as an occasion to reflect on what the company may have missed or fallen behind on.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Jang's joining Dongkuk Steel Mill in 1996. Alongside awards for long-serving employees, the ceremony included a presentation of a commemorative plaque to Jang — delivered by a new employee born in 1996, the same year he joined the company.

Heads of affiliates also stressed the need for change and execution. Dongkuk Steel Mill President Choi Sam-young said the company must raise process efficiency through smart-factory initiatives and cut waste to secure cost competitiveness. "Communication is at the heart of everything — let us always listen and encourage one another," he said.

Dongkuk Coated Metal President Park Sang-hun said the times demand constant adaptation. "We must be ready to revise Tuesday's plan on Wednesday and change it again on Thursday," he said. "Let us stay agile in any situation, keeping 'fundamentals' and 'execution' at our core."

Following the ceremonies, employees conducted volunteer activities at children's centers and welfare facilities across five regions — Seoul, Incheon, Dangjin, Pohang and Busan. The group also released a 72nd-anniversary video titled "Until Steel Reaches the World," featuring scenes from employees' daily lives, on its official YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, Dongkuk Steel Mill Group continues to expand its corporate social responsibility efforts, including broadening the scope of a scholarship foundation — established in accordance with the wishes of second-generation chairman Jang Sang-tae — to cover the field of architecture alongside its traditional focus on steel.