Park1538 Gwangyang, a High-end Cultural Complex, Opens on June 3 in Jeollanam-do’s Gwangyang
Gwangyang, once an industrial city, transforms into a tourist destination through Park1538 Gwangyang and the Gubongsan Mountain experiential sculpture
POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa Chang : “An open cultural space that envisions the future together with the local community”
The second Park1538, following Pohang — an immersive journey through the world of steel guided by the light wave
Gwangyang, the city of steel and light, is being reborn as a premium cultural city.
On June 3, POSCO opened Park1538 Gwangyang and embarked on a journey of light, where culture and industry coexist with the citizens of Gwangyang.
Park1538 first made its appearance in Pohang four years ago. The name Park1538 is made by combining Park, a space that embraces people, and 1538, the Celsius melting point of iron. It symbolizes the beautiful moment right before iron becomes something else and the passion of POSCO employees.
The blazing flame that was ignited in Pohang has now continued in Gwangyang as a new light wave. Park1538 Gwangyang consists of a promotional hall and an education center. To allow visitors to enjoy high-quality culture and art, the POSCO Art Museum Gwangyang has also been introduced within the promotional hall. As the opening exhibition, “Journey of the LIGHT” is being held, and to commemorate the 33 years since the full completion of POSCO’s integrated steelworks a quarter-century ago, 33 artworks have been carefully selected from the POSCO Group’s collection for display.
▲A group photo was taken at the Park1538 Gwangyang opening ceremony (From left: Hee-min Jeong, President of POSCO E&C; Kyeong-geun Lee, Head of Yeosu Employment and Labor Office; Dae-won Choi, Chairperson of the Gwangyang City Council; Seong-ho Kim, Chairman of the POSCO Labor Union; In-hwa Jeong, Mayor of Gwangyang; In-hwa Chang, Chairman of POSCO Group; Hyang-yeop Kwon, Member of the National Assembly; Chang-hwan Park, Vice Governor of Jeollanam-do for Economic Affairs; Hee-geun Lee, President of POSCO; Tae-kyun Kim, Chairperson of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council; Jin-man Park, Director of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation; Chul-geun Kim, Representative of the POSCO Labor-Management Council).
The opening ceremony was attended not only by POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa Chang, POSCO President Hee-geun Lee, POSCO E&C President Hee-min Jeong, POSCO Labor Union Chairman Seong-ho Kim, and POSCO Labor-Management Council Representative Chul-geun Kim, but also by key regional figures such as National Assembly Member Hyang-yeop Kwon, Vice Governor of Jeollanam-do for Economic Affairs Chang-hwan Park, and Gwangyang Mayor In-hwa Jeong.
In his commemorative speech, Chairman In-hwa Chang said, “To realize the tomorrow we dream of, it is more important than anything else to gain support from stakeholders including the local community.” He added, “I hope this will become an open, premium cultural space that reflects the past, present, and future that POSCO and the local community have built together.”
POSCO plans to link Park1538 Gwangyang with the experiential sculpture currently under construction on Gubongsan Mountain, tentatively named “Beacon of Eternity,” and develop it into a landmark of the Gwangyang region. In addition, the company will continue close cooperation with Gwangyang City to attract more visitors by connecting Park1538 Gwangyang with the city’s main tourist destinations such as Maehwa Village and the Okryongsa Temple Site Camellia Forest.
In 2021, POSCO enhanced Pohang’s standing as a tourist city by establishing Park1538 and the experiential sculpture “Space Walk.” Based on that experience, POSCO now aims to transform Gwangyang—a city of steel and logistics—into a sophisticated city where culture and industry coexist, through collaboration with the local government and residents.
Park1538 Gwangyang operates on a reservation basis. Starting April 14, anyone can visit free of charge via the official website (http://park1538.posco.com). A visit takes approximately 60 minutes. The art museum offers docent-led programs twice daily at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, and general admission is available without a reservation.
▲Park1538 Gwangyang promotional hall exterior.
▲Park1538 Gwangyang promotional hall exterior(front).
▲Night view of Park1538 Gwangyang promotional hall.