51 New Employees Join the Initiative
“Slow but Steady Progress Toward Coexistence with Neighbors”
Volunteers Deliver Customized Support
Across Four Key Areas of Everyday Life
POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks has embarked on a new journey to spread warmth and hope to local neighbors with disabilities, joining hands with newly hired employees.
On the 21st, Gwangyang Steelworks announced that it held the inauguration ceremony for the ‘Turtle Peer Talent Volunteer Group’ at the POSCO Talent Creation Institute Gwangyang Campus and officially launched its community service activities. The volunteer group is composed of 51 new employees who have come together with the shared goal of contributing to the local community.
At the ‘Turtle Peer Talent Volunteer Group’ launch ceremony held at POSCO Talent Creation Center Gwangyang Campus, volunteers are making cakes to be delivered to children with disabilities in the local area. Photo provided by Gwangyang Steelworks
This inauguration marks the second instance of such an initiative, following the launch in February of the ‘Art in Peer Talent Volunteer Group,’ POSCO’s first-ever peer volunteer group formed by new recruits. Whereas the ‘Art in Peer Talent Volunteer Group’ conducts art experiences together with children, the newly formed ‘Turtle Peer Talent Volunteer Group’ will work alongside neighbors with disabilities. Through these activities, new employees have established themselves as main drivers for sharing hope with various generations and social strata.
The name ‘Turtle’ signifies the intention to move forward step by step—albeit slowly but steadily—together with neighbors with disabilities toward a better future. The volunteers will closely observe the needs of disabled neighbors facing mobility challenges, providing tailored support and volunteer services to improve their quality of life.
Notably, the inauguration event brought together representatives from 21 major organizations and facilities for people with disabilities in the area, including Gwangyang Disability Welfare Center, Gwangyang Disabled Association, Gwangyang Center for Independent Living for the Disabled, Korean Blind Union Gwangyang Branch, and Jeonnam Association for the Physically Disabled Gwangyang Branch.
Lee Junjae, Director of the Gwangyang Disability Welfare Center, who attended the ceremony, remarked, “I was deeply moved to see new employees voluntarily come together to participate in a culture of sharing for the local community,” adding, “I hope POSCO will continue to provide unwavering support and interest in the volunteer activities of its new employees going forward.”
The volunteer group will focus its activities across four main areas. These include ‘Safety Activities,’ such as producing assistive devices and safety kits to resolve safety issues in daily life for people with disabilities; and ‘Cultural & Leisure Activities,’ such as forest experiences and participation in cultural events, designed to support the emotional well-being of people with disabilities.
In addition, the group will organize ‘Food Experience Activities,’ making food and sharing it with neighbors, as well as engaging in various ‘Campaign Activities,’ which involve planning offline events and creating online short-form content to promote disability awareness and foster empathy among local residents.
Jongil Park, Deputy Head of Administration at Gwangyang Steelworks, stated in his congratulatory remarks, “Bread for your neighbor always means sacrificing some of your own share, and by choosing this path, you transcend simply surviving to become someone with a reason to live. The new employees who are participating in this culture of sharing with neighbors have already discovered their reason for living and are the pride of POSCO.”
Jin Ho Jeong, the leader of the volunteer group, said, “Thanks to the company’s enthusiastic support, we were able to launch this peer volunteer group. It is meaningful that colleagues can come together to bring small joys to the local community. I will continue to volunteer with unwavering commitment, strengthening our contributions to neighbors through sharing.”
Jihun Ryu, the group’s secretary, commented, “Even before joining the company, I had always been inspired by POSCO’s sharing initiatives such as the Beyond Volunteer Group and Global Volunteer Week, and I longed to participate. Through this new peer volunteer group, I feel overwhelmed and excited, as if my dream of becoming a main contributor to POSCO’s culture of sharing has come true.”
Meanwhile, Gwangyang Steelworks is stepping up its peer volunteer group activities this year to counter concerns over a decline in volunteerism due to an increase in retirements, ensuring that the culture of care and sharing handed down from veteran volunteers is continued by younger employees. By operating the first-ever volunteer group in the POSCO Group made up solely of new hires, the company is strengthening the link between generations and promoting a culture of shared growth and community involvement with the local area.
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