POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa, acting as the South Korean chair for the South Korea-Australia Economic Cooperation Committee, is pushing for expanded cooperation beyond traditional economic ties.
This push was the central theme of the 46th joint meeting of the committee, held at FKI Tower in Seoul. The gathering, attended by approximately 200 officials from both nations, including Australia-Korea Business Council chair Martin Ferguson, sought to strengthen ties in industry, innovation, and sustainability.
For the first time, AI-based industrial safety and disaster response were highlighted as special topics, reflecting a new direction for the bilateral relationship.
In the minerals session, participants highlighted successful joint ventures like POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution, which processes Australian lithium ore for secondary battery materials. The meeting also showcased the achievements of the "Australia Core Resources Research Center," POSCO's first overseas resource research institute, underscoring the company's commitment to securing vital mineral supply chains.
In a move to enhance disaster preparedness, POSCO announced a new social contribution project in collaboration with the National Disaster Relief Association. The initiative will draw on Australia's advanced disaster response systems, particularly those in New South Wales, to help local Korean communities respond more effectively to natural disasters. This initiative is a practical example of the expanded cooperation Chairman Jang advocated for.
Chairman Jang underscored the importance of this broader collaboration, stating, "I hope both countries will expand cooperation beyond economic and industrial investments to include regional coexistence, industrial safety, and disaster response, paving the way for a sustainable future."
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
