Technology isn’t just securing the safety. Also boosts athlete’s motivation

Pride of the Korean-Made

The passion of the athletes seen at The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games is unforgettable. It is to this end that POSCO has devoted itself to supporting athletes with disabilities.

When it comes to sports, even small improvements in technology or changes to the gear may bring about huge differences. Having supported the national para ice hockey team since 2016, POSCO developed lightweight sledges with improved tolerance shock absorption for the Korean para ice hockey team so that the athletes could focus more on the game. This made POSCO the first company in Korea to manufacture athletic gear for national Paralympic teams. Equipped with motivation and new gear, the Korean para ice hockey team achieved an amazing Bronze medal in The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

SEE ALSO: Parallel: Shining a Spotlight on the Korean National Para Ice Hockey Team

With memories of The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games still fresh, South Korea recently observed the National Day of Persons with Disabilities on April 20. In recognition of this day, POSCO interviewed Jin-Owan Jung, head officer at the Korea Paralympic Committee Icheon Training Center and manager of the Korean Paralympic team the man who led the Korean team at The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and one who both understands and represents the interests of people with disabilities in Korea.

“It’s Not Just About Overcoming Your Disability But Accepting It.- Jin Owan, Jung”

He emphasized the recognition and acceptance rather than struggling

Accept who you really are

Jin-Owan Jung was 22 years old when a car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down in 1987. Undeterred by the accident, Jung set his eyes on becoming an athlete for the Paralympics when he saw the Seoul Paralympic Games in 1998. He won 2 medals – a gold and a bronze – in Shooting in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics Games. After retiring as an athlete, his passion for sports drove him to take on a new role in administration. The experiences gained as a Para sport athlete and also by interacting with others with disabilities, gave him a perception that acceptance of one’s disability is more important than struggling to overcome it.

He agrees that the situation is getting better but still needs more support such as financial aspects

You are not alone

The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games was a huge success in that the athletes’ passion inspired positive change in the society’s views toward people with disabilities. Jung noted that the infrastructure for people with disabilities in The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games was much improved in comparison to past games. However, he believes there is still room for improvement. Additional and sustainable social support is necessary to ensure those with disabilities can enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens and have an equal share in the development of their societies.

POSCO supports not only their technology but also financial aid

How to support?

Jung explains, “Financial support is not everything but it is important in certain circumstances.” POSCO has been a proud sponsor of athletes with disabilities and has provided roughly $2.6 million in support of Para sport since 2011. This year, POSCO donated $370,000 to the Korean Paralympic team in honor of their effort and passion.

‘Harmony’ is the element that POSCO will promise for better society

Jung believes that sports might be the key to resolving discrimination against people with disabilities. However, this can only be accomplished with active contribution from supporters. POSCO will continue to support Jin-Owan Jung’s dream of achieving social harmony and creating a society where having a disability does not impede one’s quality of life.

The U-Shaped Relationship

However, the argument is not so black and white according to Spyridon Stavropoulos, Ronald Wall and Yuanze Xu’s Environmental regulations and industrial competitiveness: evidence from China. The study suggests that the relationship between stringent economic regulations and industrial (or economic) competitiveness is U-shaped. Meaning, initially, stringent regulations will increase the cost of production and make companies less profitable, but after a certain turning point, companies will be forced to adapt and innovate, thus becoming more competitive in the long run.

Many activists sit on both sides of the debate. (Source: Ethical Shopper)

When regulation policies are consistent over a long period of time, companies are forced to tackle the root of the problem, instead of focusing on meeting certain numbers. In today’s global economy, many governments have already begun to implement stringent economic regulations that only look to get tighter in the future. In such a context, companies that choose to innovate and come up with solutions to global pollution problems will come out more competitive in the end.

Sustainability Equals Competitiveness

Looking at major economic players around the world, it’s safe to say that environmental sustainability is a common topic on each of their respective national agendas. Pressing national challenges are tied to the environment in one way or another. For example, many countries are shifting their policies to ensure energy security. Countries that import most of their energy from external regions are subject to volatile prices and thus unstable economies. Thus, governments are actively supporting companies that can cultivate domestic, renewable energy sources. Another, more obvious, example is the direct link between pollution and health risks.

China is the fastest developing country in the world, and by 2035, it will be responsible for 28 percent of the total global energy demand. China also happens to be almost completely dependent on energy imports. Subsequently, the government has started a variety of government programs to boost sustainability as part of President Xi Jinping’s pledge to build a “Beautiful China”. These policies also come in the wake of shocking statistics: in 2015, pollution led to 1.8 million premature deaths in China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out a 2-step plan to achieve a “Beautiful China.” (Source: News Gru)

Sustainable Steelmaker

Even with strong government commitment and plenty of programs to support sustainable business, most developing countries lack affordable renewable energy sources and the technology to apply those sources to existing production processes. Nevertheless, the world is changing and only those that adapt and innovate survive and thrive. That’s exactly what POSCO did starting back in 2007.

FINEX: A Game Changer

POSCO came up with a new molten iron production technology called FINEX. The technology allows molten iron and non-coking coal to be produced directly in a blast furnace during the iron-making process. It is different from the conventional blast furnace process, as it combines the coking plant, sinter plant and blast furnace into a single iron-making unit. This lowers production costs and reduces harmful emissions.

FINEX is a sustainable game-changer for steel production.

Ultimately, FINEX is one of the most cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to make steel. The technology mitigates the use of C02, has the lowest process-related emission rates and preserves resources through the use of a wide range of iron ores and non-coking coals. FINEX reduces SOx and NOx emissions by 40 and 15 percent respectively, and fine dust particles can be reduced by 34 percent compared to traditional blast furnaces. Furthermore, the by-products from the process generate highly valuable export gas that can be used for various purposes like electric power generation or natural gas substitution.

On December 7, 2017, POSCO reached 20 million cumulative tons of molten iron production using the FINEX technology. POSCO is not the only company enjoying the benefits of sustainable competitiveness – POSCO’s manufacturing partners can see lower emissions levels when evaluating the entire life cycle of their products.

SEE ALSO: POSCO Reaches 20 Million Tons of Production Using FINEX Technology

Sustainability is no longer just jargon. As environmental issues are intricately tied to the economy and even national security, governments around the world will be actively supporting sustainable companies in the years to come. Companies can expect sustainability and competitiveness to become interchangeable terms in the near future.