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Early History
Just as iron and steel helped to develop human civilization, POSCO’s steel helped to develop the Korean economy.
At the beginning, POSCO faced steep odds; it lacked both capital and skilled labor necessary to support its nascent steelmaking industry. However, POSCO was a believer. It ventured into uncharted territory to turn steelmaking the mainstay of the Korea economy.

The April 1, 1968 ribbon-cutting signaled a race to build an integrated steel mill.
Workers toiled day and night, motivated by a desperate desire to bring the project to fruition. The blood, sweat and tears of our founding members flowed with the first tap of molten iron, a breathtaking manifestation of their do-or-die spirit and unstoppable determination.
  • 1973
    Jun 9
    At 7:30 am, the first batch of steel is tapped at Pohang Blast Furnace No. 1
    Jul 03
    Construction is completed on Pohang Steel Mill Phase 1
  • 1972
    Jul 4
    Construction is completed on Pohang Heavy Plate Plant (the first shipment is loaded on July 31)
    Dec 31
    Headquarters is relocated to Pohang, and Seoul Office is opened
  • 1971
    Jan 27
    Steel Scholarship Foundation is established
    May 13
    Pohang Industrial Furnace Co., Ltd. (now POSCO Future M) is established
    Aug 20
    To meet schedule, historical first emergency order issued to speed up Hot Rolling Plant construction
  • 1970
    Apr 1
    Construction commences on Pohang Steel Mill Phase 1
  • 1969
    Aug 4
    The Korean government sets a capacity target of 1.03 million tons for the company
  • 1968
    Apr 1
    Pohang Iron & Steel Company is established, with Mr. Tae-jun Park as its first president
    May 20
    Pohang Construction Office, dubbed Rommel House, is opened
  • 1967
    Jun 30
    Korean government selects Pohang as the site for the steel mill
    Sep 11
    Korea Tungsten is selected as the builder of the steel mill
    Oct 3
    Steel mill groundbreaking ceremony