Plans to expand the collaboration with public and private sectors, including the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Independence Hall of Korea, to Central Asia

On the 13th, POSCO INTERNATIONAL held a ceremony at the Former Korean Provisional Government Office in Hangzhou, China to commemorate the installation of panels at the historic sites of the Korean independence movement.

Attended by Park Hyun-Yul, head of POSCO INTERNATIONAL’s China operations, Kim Jung-Hwa, consular officer for veterans affairs at the Korean Consulate General in Shanghai, and Lee Dong-Wook, head of the Shanghai branch of the Cultural Heritage Restoration Foundation, this ceremony offered a chance to review the newly installed panels and discussed the significance of the initiative.

Undertaken in collaboration with the POSCO 1% Foundation to mark the 80th anniversary of the National Liberation of Korea, this initiative seeks to improve the environment of overseas historic sites of the independence movement. POSCO INTERNATIONAL selected China as the first target, where nearly half of the 1,032 Korean independence movement sites worldwide are located, and installed 55 panels featuring POSCO Group’s high-resolution color steel plate, ‘PosART,’ at three key historic sites.

PosART is a high-resolution color steel plate created by applying inkjet printing technology to steel, offering over four times the resolution of conventional printed steel plates for precise designs.

The targeted sites are historically significant locations where independence activists operated during the Japanese colonization of Korea. These include the Lvshun Japan Guandong Court Former Site Museum in Dalian, where trials of independence activists such as Ahn Jung-Geun and Shin Chae-Ho were held; the Hangzhou Office, where the Korean Provisional Government was active from 1932 to 1934; and the Korean Provisional Government Historical Activity Exhibition Hall, a base for the Korean Provisional Government in 1935.

The newly installed PosART panels offer superior print quality and durability compared to existing ones. They are designed to maintain their quality for an extensive period even under China’s dynamic climate conditions, allowing visitors to better understand the history of the independence movement.

The project was led by POSCO INTERNATIONAL in collaboration with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Independence Hall, overseas diplomatic offices, the Cultural Heritage Restoration Foundation, and Godamad, a signboard manufacturing company. It serves as an example of public-private cooperation in preserving and managing overseas historic sites of Korea’s independence movement.

POSCO INTERNATIONAL keeps expanding its efforts to promote veterans’ culture abroad. Starting last year at the Old Korean Legation in Washington, D.C., the initiative has now reached China and is set to extend to Central Asia in the second half of this year. The company also plans to expand the initiative to 24 other countries with historic sites of independence movement.

“It is meaningful to contribute to improving the environment of overseas historic sites of independence movement on the 80th anniversary of the National Liberation of Korea,” A POSCO INTERNATIONAL official stated. “We will continue to collaborate with relevant domestic and international organizations to expand sustainable preservation activities for cultural heritage.”

Meanwhile, POSCO Group is undertaking various activities to promote veterans’ culture to mark the 80th anniversary of the National Liberation. During the Global Volunteer Week in May, POSCO Group executives and employees, along with local students, made traditional Korean flags using the Korean hanji paper at Ongnyong-myeon in Gwangyang, the birthplace of the March First Movement while also conducting diverse volunteer activities to reflect on the significance of the National Liberation at the Seoul National Cemetery, the Pohang Student Volunteer Corps Memorial, and the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan.

▲ PosART signage installed at the Hangzhou headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in China.

Palbok-dong is a district in Jeonju, a city rich with history and culture. In the past, Palbok-dong was bustling when the industrial complex was booming, but now many people have left the village and empty houses have been abandoned for a long time. Is there any way to repurpose the vacant houses that are still useful?

In response, POSCO has set out to promote a project to revitalize vacant houses in Jeonju based on its management philosophy of Corporate Citizenship. Steel ContiNew is a project to repurpose four abandoned houses in Palbok-dong, Jeonju into new spaces.

POSCO provided about 40 tons of steel, the main material for remodeling the empty houses, free of charge. Also, POSCO’s major client companies, including INNOVILT, participated in the project by voluntarily supporting production and construction costs.

Steel ContiNew is an innovative campaign that leverages infinitely recyclable steel to repurpose deserted rural houses into sustainable spaces such as cafes and restaurants. The title Steel ContiNew cleverly plays with the similar-sounding words ‘still’ and ‘steel’ to symbolize the ongoing transformation of contemporary steel that will persist into the future.

This project employed customizable Pos-H welded beams as a key component in the foundational structural renovations of the vacant houses. Pos-H has the advantages of superior value and seismic performance compared to other H-beams and it can be manufactured in sizes that are optimized for customer requirements.

PosMAC, renowned for its exceptional rust resistance, was utilized for the roofs and exterior facades of the buildings. With a 20-year anti-corrosion warranty, PosMAC guarantees the long-lasting durability and enduring visual charm of the structures. A “solar roof” made with PosMAC can be laid over existing roofing so mounting is accomplished without support fixtures or other additional structures, enhancing stability and environmental friendliness.

In terms of interior materials, POSCO employed stainless steel Kinetic Walls to achieve a fluid and undulating visual effect. Additionally, PosART, a high-resolution inkjet printing technique on metal, was utilized to recreate the texture of materials like wood and marble. Features such as sink countertops, tables, benches, and lighting were also made with stainless steel to optimize hygiene and emphasize the aesthetic beauty unique to steel materials.

The biggest achievement of the Steel ContiNew project is that a village that was once desolate with abandoned houses has been repurposed into vibrant spaces with the use of steel, an infinitely recyclable and Sustainable material.

This is why the project to renovate vacant houses into new spaces is recognized for effectively solving problems faced by depopulated areas such as creating jobs, attracting more visitors, and revitalizing the local economy. Looking ahead, POSCO plans to actively participate in creating social value with steel based on its management philosophy of Corporate Citizenship.

What made you participate in the Steel ContiNew project?

POSCO has been making great efforts to create social values based on its management philosophy of Corporate Citizenship. This project was also part of the management philosophy. Recently, provincial areas have been facing many problems such as an increase in vacant houses due to depopulation and regional imbalance. So, I participated in this project to contribute to solving these structural problems in society using an Sustainable material, steel.

What did you pay the most attention to while you were working on this project?

Steel is a 99% recyclable material. Our main goal was to repurpose vacant houses into new spaces using steel, just as we reuse steel to make new products. We focused on remodeling several vacant houses to refresh the entire village, while trying to solve the problems faced by depopulated areas.

Steel was rarely used for the interior and exterior material in the past. So, with this project, we focused on publicizing new aspects of steel. Steel may have a cold and hard image, but with this project, we wanted to convey a message that steel actually has both sustainability and aesthetics.

▲The remodeled space will be a fine dining restaurant with an old-fashioned tavern concept, mainly serving Bossam(boiled pork belly wraps), jeon (Korean-style pancakes) and makgeolli (traditional unrefined rice wine).

This project has been recognized for its good achievements, such as job creation and revitalization of the local economy.

If not just one, but several vacant houses are renovated, the whole village will be full of vitality. A total of four commercial facilities have created employment, and the local economy is also expected to be revitalized thanks to a surge in visitors. I feel rewarded because this project seemingly provides a way to solve common problems faced by rural communities.

What do you think about the future of this place, revitalized by POSCO?

In the past, during the industrialization of Korea, economic growth was achieved with the support of basic industries such as steel and shipbuilding. Palbok-dong also had many residents living behind the industrial complex at that time. I hope that this project will serve as an opportunity to recapture past glory, revitalize the village, and attract more visitors and ultimately revive the local economy. I look forward to the continuing interest and support of many visitors even after the broadcast.

What part of the Steel ContiNew project did you participate in?

The INNOVILT is in charge of producing construction materials with POSCO’s excellent steel. We tried to show a new side of steel by supplying materials that are different from the cold image that steel had, such as a solar roof based on the photovoltaic system, PosART that prints various materials on steel sheets, and stainless steel that can be used for kitchen utensils and lightings.

Please explain in detail about PosART, which was applied as the main interior material in this project.

PosART is an inkjet printing technique for POSCO steel sheets that can recreate the patterns, colors, and textures of natural materials such as wood and marble. The advantage of PosART is that it can make architecture that feels natural without damaging nature, such as with logging or marble mining. In addition, it is customizable by designing the patterns desired by architects. I think this project is meaningful in that it has enhanced the public’s understanding of steel by introducing PosART, which recreates the colors and textures that architects want.

You must have been filled with emotion when you saw the vacant houses repurposed with POSCO’s technologies.

When I first visited this place, the village looked dilapidated with many vacant houses. But construction has been going on for several months, and now the whole village seems to be filled with vibrant energy. Just like the local residents who have high expectations for this project, I am also excited about and looking forward to the future of this place. We sincerely participated in this project and hope that this place will be loved well beyond a one-time event, for a long time to come.

How do you feel about participating in the project to revitalize vacant houses?

I am delighted to be able to publicize the aesthetics, eco-friendliness, and sustainability of steel through this project. Steel is all around us, but we just don’t recognize it. I hope that more people come to understand that steel, a crucial material for structuring spaces, can be utilized in a variety of aesthetically pleasing ways.

Please introduce your company, MBK.

MBK is a company that specializes in architectural exteriors such as facade construction, building assembly, consulting, and distribution of POSCO Steeleon’s products. In addition, we have contributed to the creation of a new architectural culture by participating in one-off projects conducted by architects on a pilot basis. This is why we participated in the Steel ContiNew project as an architectural exteriors company.

Please tell us about the exterior material from POSCO used in this construction.

One of the drawbacks of steel is rust. That was why it was rarely used as an exterior material in the past. However, the corrosion rate of steel has stabilized, so it is now widely used as an exterior material. It means that technology moves on. I think the biggest advantage of POSCO products is not only the excellent performance of steel, but also the ability to realize the patterns and designs desired by architects.

It seemed that the remodeled house was in perfect harmony with the hanok and the metal-like exterior building materials. What did you pay attention to the most?

House No. 4, which we were involved in, focused on preserving the peculiar atmosphere of the existing *hanok. We maintained the old wall on the outside of the building while trying to make it blend in naturally with the exterior materials.
*hanok: A type of traditional Korean house first designed and built in the 14th century during the Joseon Dynasty.

In addition, we put a lot of effort into ensuring that the architect’s intentions are well reflected in the work. After conducting several tests to realize metallic printed steel sheets with the hairline texture that the architect wanted, we finally achieved great results that everyone was happy with. I am glad that the architect’s intentions are properly reflected in the finished house.

▲ The old wall surrounding the building blends naturally with the hanok.

How do you feel about participating in this project?

It is said that there are many vacant houses due to rural depopulation. I think it is a big social problem. So, I feel pleased and rewarded that I have done my little bit and helped to solve social problems. In addition, as one of the people involved in this project, I expect that the broadcast will make the image of steel more friendly. I hope more people will be aware of the sustainability and diversity of steel in the future.

POSCO joins in solving social problems

Steel ContiNew is an innovative project that leverages infinitely recyclable steel to repurpose deserted rural houses into sustainable spaces such as cafes and restaurants.
The title Steel ContiNew cleverly plays with the similar-sounding words ‘still’ and ‘steel’ to symbolize the ongoing transformation of contemporary steel that will persist into the future. This is also in accordance with the project’s ethos of converting empty houses into environmentally-friendly and sustainable spaces.

At present, South Korea is grappling with notable societal challenges caused by a decline in population resulting from low birth rates, leading to a rise in the number of unoccupied residences, particularly in rural regions. POSCO launched the Steel ContiNew project to address this issue by using steel based on its management philosophy of Corporate Citizenship: Building a Better Future Together.
Steel ContiNew went beyond conventional building remodeling approaches by revitalizing an entire village, converting four deserted rural houses into vibrant cafes and restaurants.

Breathing new life into vacant houses with POSCO steel

POSCO has articulated the meaning of sustainability inherent in steel, and the unique aesthetic beauty that only steel materials can offer, through the application of its diverse steel products. These products, noted for their environmental friendliness, stability, and economic efficiency, have been extensively used in the interior and exterior of remodeled buildings.

▲Pos-H, our customized welded H beam product, was extensively utilized in the skeleton frame of the remodeled structures.

POSCO employed customizable Pos-H welded beams as a key component in the foundational structural renovations of the vacant houses. Pos-H offers superior value and seismic performance to other H-beams and can be manufactured in sizes optimized to customer requirements.

▲The roofing and exterior walls of the remodeled structures used our corrosion-resistant galvanized steel plates, PosMAC, that are backed by a 20-year anti-corrosion warranty

PosMAC, renowned for its exceptional rust resistance, was utilized for the roofs and exterior facades of the buildings. With a 20-year anti-corrosion warranty, PosMAC guarantees the long-lasting durability and enduring visual charm of the structures. A “solar roof” made with PosMAC can be laid over existing roofing so mounting is accomplished without support fixtures or other additional structures, enhancing stability and environmental friendliness.

▲Kinetic walls made of stainless steel achieved a fluid and undulating visual effect.

▲Our high-resolution inkjet printing technique expresses the texture of wood, marble and other materials on the metal surface.

▲Pre-coated steel used in kitchen cabinets and walls.

▲Stainless steel used for countertops, tables, benches, and lighting highlight the hygienic quality and aesthetic appeal of steel.

In terms of interior materials, POSCO employed stainless steel Kinetic Walls to achieve a fluid and undulating visual effect. Additionally, PosART, a high-resolution inkjet printing technique on metal, was utilized to recreate the texture of materials like wood and marble. Features such as sink countertops, tables, benches, and lighting were also made with stainless steel to optimize hygiene and emphasize the aesthetic beauty unique to steel materials. “Pre-coated metal” was used inside counters and on walls to create a beautiful gold-rose look.

POSCO’s clients who actively participated in the ‘Steel ContiNew’ project

Steel ContiNew holds profound significance as it brings together diverse stakeholders throughout society to address pressing social issues such as rural depopulation and the increasing number of vacant homes

POSCO collaborated with MBC, a South Korean public broadcaster, in the project’s design and generously provided the primary steel materials necessary for the renovation of the vacant houses. POSCO’s client companies actively participated in the project by contributing funds for production and construction costs. Additionally, the local government of Jeonju-si provided the necessary sites and vacant houses for the remodeling process.

The collaborative efforts of diverse sectors in society have successfully transformed abandoned rural houses, left vacant due to declining birthrates and population relocation caused by the decline of industrial complexes in the 2000s, into sustainable spaces that embrace the environmental friendliness and aesthetic beauty of steel.

▲ An vacant house has been renovated with POSCO Steel.

Moreover, small business owners and local residents who were finding it difficult to make a living since the COVID-19 outbreak were provided with an opportunity to get back on their feet by being put in charge of running the cafes and restaurants. Abandoned houses, once considered eyesores, have been given a new lease on life through the use of steel. They have been transformed into tourist attractions that draw not only local residents but also people from all over the country.

POSCO Steel’s infinite power to create a sustainable world

As mentioned previously, Steel ContiNew has not only generated employment opportunities for the community but also played a significant role in fostering local economic growth. Most importantly, the project has brought hope to a village that was once desolated by abandoned vacant houses. Through the use of steel, an infinitely recyclable and eco-friendly material, these structures have been revitalized into sustainable spaces radiating renewed energy and vibrancy.

Looking ahead, POSCO is committed to making continuous and substantial efforts to ensure that such small sparks of change can spread throughout South Korea. This is because we believe that when the unlimited power of steel is combined with the warmth in people’s hearts, the world will become a more beautiful and sustainable place.

STEEL Talk presents to you interesting stories of Science, Technology, Energy, Environment, Life — and of course STEEL!

l Buildings: Standing Firm Like ‘Giants’

Bones are like solid columns supporting the entire human body. And the buildings that we see around us function similar to the human body. They are like ‘giants’ standing tall — a much bigger version of the human body. The columns of the building support the entire structure, just as bones support the human body, and this column is steel! The steel used here is called construction steel and it is applied to various structures such as buildings and bridges around us.

Just as the bones inside our body are invisible to the naked eye, the steel material for construction, the bones of the building, is also placed inside the building and cannot be seen easily. However, It is considered as the most important material because it is closely related to safety.

The tallest building in Seoul is the Lotte World Tower! A huge amount of POSCO steel plate and high-performance construction steel were applied in its construction. If you take an x-ray of this building, you might be able to see POSCO steel supporting it entirely, just like you can see the bones inside your body in an x-ray!

l Looks Matter Too!

Supposing a building is a human body, the skin would be its exterior wall. Architects struggle a lot to make a building aesthetically pleasing. That’s why the exterior walls of buildings are decorated with shiny glass or ornamental stone. Recently, steel is often used as well because of its strongness and artistic properties.

Do you remember Pengsoo House that POSCO had built for the EBS mascot Pengsoo? The exterior walls of Pengsoo House, where Pengsoo’s face is printed, are also made of steel. The steel plate applied here is POSCO Advanced Resolution printing Technology (PosART). PosART allows high-resolution inkjet print hence emulating the textures and patterns of various materials, including marble, wood, and fabric. As long as there is an image file, anything is printable. Last year, POSCO had launched INNOVILT, a premium brand of steel products for construction. PosART is one of these INNOVILT products, and it won the worldsteel Steelie Awards ‘Innovation of the Year’ in 2019.

Steel is used not only for exterior walls but also for roofs. The roof of Incheon International airport’s Terminal 2 was made with POSCO stainless steel fabricated with reduced reflectivity to prevent glare for aircraft pilots during takeoff and landing.

l Keeping the Building Alive!

Blood vessels of the human body serve as channels to deliver oxygen to every corner. Just as we have blood vessels and nerves, buildings also have invisible “blood vessels” and “nerves” that keep them alive — “pipes”.

Most of the pipes in the building are made of steel. If the pipe is rusted, water or gas may leak inside the building, which might trigger a big accident. Also, if water travels through the rusty pipes, it will be contaminated and harm the health of people. Therefore, corrosion-resistant stainless steel is appropriate in making the pipes of buildings.

A Historical Building Designed by Chung-Up Kim, a Pioneer of Modern Architecture

Namdaemun has always been a landmark of Seoul, no matter how many new modern skyscrapers are erected in the city. Namdaemun is a special place since it has its own history and memories that aren’t found in newly built buildings. This place serves as a setting in many Korean novels showing that it’s a real symbol of the capital of Korea. The Namdaemun-ro, a street that connects Seoul Station, Shinsegae Department Store, and Myeongdong Cathedral, was the socio-cultural center of modern and contemporary Seoul.

There is one building that has been standing in this symbolic place for a long time — it’s the Danam Tower. Danam Tower (formerly Tokyu Hotel) was designed by Chung-Up Kim, a master of Korean modern architecture. It is a high-rise building situated right next to Namdaemun, on the foot of Namdaemun-ro that leads to Namsan Mountain.

Born in Pyongyang in 1922, Chung-Up Kim studied architecture at Yokohama National University in Japan and left for Paris to work for Le Corbusier. On returning to Seoul in 1956, Kim opened his own architecture office and designed the French Embassy and the main building of Pusan National University (currently the Humanities Building). Chung-Up Kim has been known for his outstanding sculptures and also as a pioneer in Korean architecture. Though it is not well known, Kim designed many buildings in downtown Seoul, including the headquarters of Industrial Bank of Korea, the Rehabilitation Protection Center (currently Anguk Building), and the 31 Building, thus, opening the era of high-rise buildings in Korea. Many broadcasting stations and art centers in provincial cities are also works of Kim.

Danam Tower: from Tokyu Hotel to an Office Space Rental Building

Danam Tower was designed by Chung-Up Kim in 1968 and constructed by Hyundai Engineering & Construction. It was open for business in 1971. Since Danam Tower was built as a hotel and used for a long time, some people in Namdaemun Market still call it the Tokyu Hotel.

In 1962, the Korean government established the International Tourism Organization (currently the Korea Tourism Organization) and stepped forward to streamline the management of hotels. In the 1970s, the tourism industry became the core national strategic industry, and several measures were taken to promote the hotel business, some of them including funds for hotel management, reduced electricity & entertainment tax, and simplified licensing procedures.

At the time when the domestic capital base wasn’t abundant, direct foreign investments were active to attract foreign capital. The Tokyu Hotel was also constructed in this manner — as a joint venture between Korea’s Danam Industry and Japan’s Tokyu Railways Company, Ltd. At first, the building wasn’t well-received by the public because it was a first high-rise building constructed right next to Namdaemun, the National Treasure of South Korea. After being operated as a hotel for about 12 years, the building was renamed Danam Tower and has been used as an office space rental building.

A Simple, Straightforward Design and Remodeling Using PosART as Interior Material

There are two revolving doors at the entrance of the Danam Tower that features a magnificent cantilever canopy extending all the way to the sidewalk and a wide staircase below. The building has a rather simple space arrangement — with Starbucks and an optical store located on the first floor, and identical office spaces from the second to the 26th. In the initial design, Chung-Up Kim came up with a cantilever structure that would support the entire 89-meter building with just two columns but with the construction technology of the time, realizing it was a nearly impossible task. Hence, the plan was modified to place eight columns, two on each side, giving the bland square building a more impressive design. The center of the square plane features seven elevators, staircases, restrooms, and ducts. The interior of the office spaces is vast, with no columns or walls, as the exterior columns are supporting the entire structure. Glass windows are everywhere, providing a panoramic view of Seoul Station, Myeongdong, Inwangsan Mountain, and Bukhansan Mountain.

[Architect’s Pick: INNOVILT PosART Exterior & Interior Materials]

In 2018, the Danam Tower underwent large-scale remodeling. Deteriorated parts were renovated and the outer wall, which had been finished with ivory-colored exposed concrete, were covered with black terracotta panels, glass, and aluminum sheets. The lobby, which is considered the ‘face’ of a building, took on a new look as well. The former lobby, where an old chandelier hung on the curved ceiling, was reborn with a straightforward and sleek-looking appearance. Selecting the materials for the renovation was an important task, considering that the building was a historical one, and after careful reflection, PosART interior materials with Basaltina prints were selected for the walls. PosART is a new construction material that POSCO C&C has successfully commercialized for the first time. Inkjet printing technology on POSCO steel becomes PosART, and the material used here was specifically PosART Marble. It embodies the texture and looks of natural marble while providing easier construction and renovation at a lower cost. Radon, which is a defect found on synthetic marble, isn’t a problem here, and another feature is that it is a sustainable material. Also, PosART enables custom printing without additional molds for creating patterns or processing.

Although the material is still unfamiliar to architects as of present, it is expected to serve as an appropriate alternative to conventional construction materials, excelling in both functional and aesthetic features. In the case of Danam Tower, a dry construction method was applied, leaving the existing marble tiles as they are and installing an anchor on top to attach the PosART. In this way, there was no need to demolish the walls of the main building, therefore making the construction easier and shortening the period.

A cornerstone reading, “Placed on May 15, 1968,” can be seen when you come outside the building. The tower’s official logo is an abstract image of the building itself with “since 1970” written underneath. An architectural model created at the time of the building’s completion is displayed on one side of the lobby. The blueprint is preserved as well. All of these exhibit how much pride and affection the owner has for the building. Apparently, an employee who joined the Tokyu Hotel as a concierge is still working here as a parking management employee. There might be mixed evaluations following the remodeling plan, which is a complete transformation from its former structure. However, one thing is for sure — the building has become much cleaner and safer. Let’s hope that the now-sophisticated historic and iconic building will remain in its place for a long, long time.

▲ Songjeong-ri, Pohang, where the convent, orphanage, and nursing home of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were located

▲ Local residents and members of the convent (left); Children playing at the playground that is being demolished (right)

As the convent decided to move out of the land voluntarily, the local residents in the area also participated. Their consideration made possible the construction of the steelworks in the area still bearing the scars of war.

With gratitude and respect for the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pohang Works installed a signboard on May 20 in front of the Blast Furnace no.3, where the convent was formerly located. The signboard was made with stainless steel sheets produced at Pohang Works and completed with PosART, POSCO’s own high-resolution inkjet printing technology.

On the day when the signboard was first unveiled to the world, about 70 officials, including Soo-Hi Nam, Head of Pohang Works, and Aloysia Kim, Head of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, visited POSCO. The guests took a tour of Pohang Works and looked around the old site of the convent, which was situated here 43 years ago.

On June 9, 1973, golden molten iron poured out of the tap of Pohang No. 1 blast furnace – for the first time in Korea’s history. This day was designated as Korean National Steel Day to commemorate the historical moment. As POSCO celebrates Steel Day 2020, the company is as ever full of gratitude and respect for the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who had sacrificed to make POSCO what it is today. POSCO will always remember this and continue to make the best iron in the world.

Father Louis Deslandes: The Founder of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

One day in June, more than 100 years ago, a stranger crossed the rough waves of the Korea Strait and arrived at Busan Port. This stranger was Louis Deslandes, a French Catholic priest. To preach the gospel to the lowest of society, Father Deslandes left his hometown in 1923 and set foot on this strange land, Joseon, which was a colony at that time.

▲ Father Louis Deslandes in his youth (left); and in his later years (right)

In the winter of 1935, Father Deslandes settled in a small village in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and gathered orphans and the sick elderly into a community called, “Sam-Duck-Dang,” which later became the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Deslandes lived together with the sick and needy and cared for them.

A Home for the Outcasts of Society

During the Japanese colonial period, Father Deslandes could have led a comfortable and stable life being a foreign missionary, but he always chose to stay with the local people. He entrusted the church to the local people as well, always reminding them that ‘the owner of the church was not the priest but the Koreans, and the owner of the country was also Koreans.’ Father Deslandes never gave in to the oppression of the Japanese colonial government, even during his imprisonment (1941-1945).

▲ Orphans in front of the parsonage

▲ Father Louis Deslandes was a father to the children who lost their parents during the war.

Korea celebrated its independence in 1945, but another tragedy hit the nation just three months after moving the convent to Songjeong-ri, Pohang — the Korean War. The war left countless war orphans and severe poverty. Despite the ongoing hardships, Father Deslandes never gave up looking after people who needed help. He built an orphanage to look after the war orphans and a nursing home for the elderly who were abandoned. After seeing the harsh living conditions of leprosy patients, Father Deslandes wept with them and created a settlement for them. He also opened a soup kitchen and a clinic for those who had no home. The convent grew into the largest facility in the East before relocating.

▲ The convent opened a soup kitchen and a clinic for those suffering from sickness and poverty.

As an acknowledgment for his devotion, the Korean government awarded Father Louis Deslandes the Order of Cultural Merits in 1962, and the French government honored him with the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, in 1969.

POSCO got to meet with this superstar and decided to build the one and only ‘Pengsoo House’ using POSCO’s premium steel products for construction. Let’s take a look at this behind-the-scenes story below, written by Pengsoo’s huge fan, POSCO assistant manager Choi. 

My Special Story — I Love Pengsoo!

First of all, I would like to thank all POSCO and EBS staff for giving me a chance to be a part of this project. It’s just like a dream come true for me! Let me tell you my dramatic story.

I’m Deuk-Yong Choi working at the POSCO Construction Steel Materials Marketing Office. I joined the company in 2014 and have been working here for six years. I saw Pengsoo for the first time when its video turned up as a recommended video on YouTube. I didn’t know then that I would become such a huge fan. After watching one episode, I was totally into it — watching episode after episode. Even now, I squeeze in time to watch Pengsoo’s video during lunch break or before going to bed. If someone asks me why I keep watching it, I answer, “Just watch one and you’ll know.”

Pengsoo’s charms? Where do I even begin? I put on a smile and get comforted by just looking at Pengsoo. Pengsoo made me do things that I’ve never done before. My desk at the office looked so much better after I covered it with photos of Pengsoo!

POSCO Builds Pengsoo House!

One day, the company Communication Office gave me a call. It was the most surprising call I’ve ever got at work. “Mr. Choi, could you build Pengsoo a house using INNOVILT?”

At the time, I was busy preparing for the launch of INNOVILT — POSCO’s premium brand of construction material. Meanwhile, the Communication Office was working on a project to build a house for Pengsoo. They said that it was harder than expected since they wanted to display Pengsoo’s picture on the outer wall of the house. Actually, Pengsoo lived in a small prop room which was sad for me to watch. And now I was given the opportunity to change that!

I could build an igloo for Pengsoo since it’s from the Antarctic, but I wanted to make a house made of the best steel possible. I hurried to the EBS headquarters to meet Pengsoo. Seeing Pengsoo asleep in its space — the prop room — I became so excited about this project.

The Story Behind Pengsoo House

As soon as I returned from the call, I gathered my team members working together with me on INNOVILT. INNOVILT, as mentioned earlier, is a premium brand of construction material. Why did a steel company make a brand of construction material? These days people consider various criteria carefully, for example, environmental standard, when purchasing even household items. However, in the case of construction material, there isn’t much information on even basic items — such as structural materials and interior and exterior materials. That is why POSCO came up with this premium brand that uses construction materials made of POSCO’s high-grade steel so that consumers can easily recognize it.

My team worked together for a few days to handpick and design the best products for building Pengsoo House.

The design was revised over several times so that all the four sides of the house could display the photos of Pengsoo well. Pengsoo is 210cm tall, so to fit Pengsoo in, the house had to be built five meters high. For this task, ‘PosMAC’ was considered suitable to build the structural frames, and ‘PosART’ — a steel plate where Pengsoo’s picture could be printed — was selected for the exterior. Both products are currently awaiting evaluation to become INNOVILT products.

Now, let me give you a little explanation regarding the details of Pengsoo House.

The Frames of Pengsoo House: PosMAC Stud

PosMAC Stud was adopted as the frame for Pengsoo House. PosMAC is normally called ‘rust-free steel’ in POSCO. PosMAC processed into ┌┐shape is PosMAC Stud, and when these┌┐shaped pillars are weaved together, they enable Pengsoo House to become much stronger. Compared to other materials, PosMAC is more resistant to earthquakes and fires. It is also distinctively space-efficient, making it a perfect choice for GIANT Pengsoo House.

 The Interior & Exterior: Pengsoo’s Face Using PosART

Next, the interior and exterior materials — the highlight of Pengsoo House! The exterior needed a photo of Pengsoo and the interior was to be colored with yellow, the signature color of Pengsoo. Most of all, we needed a technology that could display Pengsoo’s photograph in real life high-resolution and fortunately, PosART made this possible. With PosART, I could make a Pengsoo face panel as seen below.

Pengsoo House is in the lobby of EBS headquarters. I took several trips there and kept working on PosART day and night, worried the quality might not come out as planned. After spending a whole weekend, finally, I could get to work on the exterior wall with PosART printed with Pengsoo’s picture.

Come and Visit Pengsoo House!

2 December 2019. A day I will never forget. It’s the day I showed Pengsoo its house for the first time. Pengsoo visited the site while we were working on the exterior wall. Pengsoo came wearing a giant safety helmet and it was so cute! Pengsoo checked out the house and shook it to see if it was strong enough and — Wow! My heart was trembling, not the building. Pengsoo even gave me a massage on my shoulders. The moment Pengsoo touched my shoulders, I almost melted. ⋛⋋(・ꃪ・)⋌⋚

After Pengsoo House was complete, Pengsoo threw a housewarming party, and other EBS characters came to visit. Everything felt surreal. Watching Pengsoo look so happy, I thought maybe this was why I’d entered POSCO.

I believe that everyone is special. And although Pengsoo is a trainee who hasn’t even made a debut, it still deserves a nice house to live in.

Pengsoo is my lifetime friend, and steel is my job for life. I’d built a house for my lifetime friend with steel that I sell! What a story! All my coworkers envied me when they heard my story. This is truly a memory I’d cherish my whole life. I want to thank POSCO for giving full support and making this happen.

To see the whole footage of Pengsoo House and the housewarming party, check out the following videos (Korean).