Dongkuk Steel commemorated the 20th anniversary of the late Chairman Jang Sang-tae in Seonyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on April 3.
Dongkuk Steel Chairman Chang Se-joo recalled that his father was an iron man who worked his whole life to advance the Korean steel industry, vowing to follow his passion for steel and continue the spirit of management innovation.
Dongkuk Steel simplified the memorial service with bereaved family members and relatives in consideration of the spread of COVID-19.
The late Chairman Chang Sang-tae joined Dongkuk Steel in 1956 and was a true steelman who insisted on the steel industry for 45 years until his death on April 4, 2000.
Chairman Chang reclaimed a mud flat off Busan's Yongho-dong in the 1960s and operated a Busan steel mill, the country's largest private steel plant, leading to the modernization of the Korean steel industry.
Since then, he has set pioneering milestones such as operating the country's first blast furnace, operating the country's first modern electric furnace, and producing the country's first thick plate.
In addition, the late Chairman Chang has grown Dongkuk Steel Group into one of the top 10 steel groups in the business world, covering Dongkuk Steel, Yonhap Steel, KISCO, Dongguk Industrial, and Korea Steel.
In recognition of his contribution to the nation's industrial development, he received the Order of Gold Tower Industry and the Order of Civil Merit, Rose of Sharon Medal.
