GWANGYANG, South Korea – POSCO, South Korea's leading steelmaker, has officially inaugurated its latest complex cultural space, 'Park1538 Gwangyang,' located in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province. The grand opening ceremony, held on April 3rd, marks an expansion of POSCO's commitment to engaging with local communities through art and education.
The newly established facility comprises a public relations hall and an education center. Notably, the public relations hall houses the 'POSCO Art Museum Gwangyang,' further enriching the cultural landscape of the region. This development follows the successful launch of the original 'Park1538' in Pohang four years prior, which combined a public relations hall with a history museum.
The name 'Park1538' is a symbolic fusion of 'Park,' representing an inclusive space for people, and '1538°C,' the precise melting point of iron. POSCO explains that this moniker encapsulates the transformative beauty of iron just before it takes a new form, as well as the fervent dedication of its workforce.
The completion ceremony drew a distinguished gathering of internal and external stakeholders. Attendees included POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa, POSCO President Lee Hee-geun, POSCO E&C President Jung Hee-min, POSCO Labor Union Chairman Kim Seong-ho, and POSCO Labor-Management Council representative Kim Cheol-geun. Prominent local figures such as National Assembly member Kwon Hyang-yeop, Jeollanam-do Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Park Chang-hwan, and Gwangyang Mayor Jung In-hwa also graced the event with their presence.
In his commemorative address, Chairman Jang In-hwa emphasized the critical role of community support in achieving POSCO's future aspirations. "To realize the future we dream of, it is more important than anything else to gain support from stakeholders, including the local community," he stated. "We hope that this will become an open, high-quality cultural space that jointly portrays the past, present, and future that the local community and POSCO have created together."
To commemorate the 33rd anniversary of POSCO's comprehensive plant completion, Park1538 Gwangyang launched its inaugural exhibition, 'Journey of Light.' The exhibition features a curated selection of 33 significant artworks from the POSCO Group's extensive collection.
Looking ahead, POSCO envisions Park1538 Gwangyang as a pivotal landmark in the Gwangyang area. Plans are underway to integrate the cultural space with the 'Eternal Beacon Tower' (tentative name), an experiential sculpture currently being constructed on nearby Gubongsan Mountain. Furthermore, POSCO intends to collaborate closely with Gwangyang City to link Park1538 Gwangyang with popular local attractions such as the picturesque Maehwa Village and the historic Camellia Forest of Ognyongsa Temple Site, aiming to attract a greater influx of visitors.
Members of the public will be able to reserve free admission to Park1538 Gwangyang through its official website (http://park1538.posco.com) starting from April 14th. The estimated duration of a visit is approximately 60 minutes, and the POSCO Art Museum Gwangyang will also offer guided tours through its docent program.
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