Revolutionary Features of Korea’s New Landmark, Northeast Asia Trade Tower

#1. 3-Dimensional Exterior Design Minimizes the Effect of Wind Load

POSCO Engineering & Construction, the construction arm of Korea’s top steelmaker POSCO, applied its most innovative and cutting-edge technology in the construction of NEAT Tower, the tallest building in Korea. To minimize the effect of wind load on the building, the tower was constructed under a 3-dimensional exterior design which features a trapezoid at the base which gradually transforms into a triangle at the top.

#2. Seismic Force Resisting System Utilizing Belt Truss and Outriggers

NEATT’ s main frame system consists of 27 perimeter columns, six corner mega columns, a core wall, and an outrigger/belt truss, all of which are systemically integrated. The core wall takes about 65% of the total gravity load and 70% of the total overturning moment due to wind load. The outrigger systems are installed on the 34^th and 65^th floors of NEATT and the structural design was performed in such a way that the axial load developed in columns due to the outrigger’s share of the overturning moment could also be resisted safely. The outrigger and belt system takes 30% of the overturning moment.

The core walls and columns of NEATT, an SRC structural building, were constructed with 12,841 tons of POSCO’s globally renowned high-strength reinforced concrete and SD40 reinforcing bars. The corner mega column was, for the first time in the construction of skyscrapers in Korea, built with 7,870 tons of SMC570TMC steel. The glass curtain wall enveloping the exterior was installed using low-emissivity glass. Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings are microscopically thin metal layers that are deposited on a window surface to help keep heat on the same side of the glass from which it originated. Glass with Low-E coatings reflect infrared light while allowing visible light, keeping the movement between interior and exterior heat to a minimum.

* Technical specifications of the Northeast Asia Trade Tower referenced from “NEATT Design of Structural System,” Dong Yang Structural Engineers Co., 2014.

#3. High Level Security and Anti-Disaster Measures

As the landmark building of Korea, Northeast Asia Trade Tower boasts high level security and anti-disaster measures. For example, it deployed global positioning system (GPS) sensors to help ensure the real-time measurement of vibration, displacement or deformation in the building caused by external factors, making it possible to preemptively identify any issues that could compromise the safety or structural integrity of the building. Additionally, the Seismic Force Resisting System can withstand magnitude 7-8 earthquakes.

In addition, the anti-disaster control center located on the first basement floor provides the ability to centrally monitor the power supply, lighting, CCTV system, access control and other utility services. The 30^th and 60^th floors each have a shelter that can accommodate up to 4,000 occupants safely and promptly in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. The building has 29 elevators operating at a speed of 420 meters per minute and capable of carrying users from the ground floor to the observatory on the 65^th floor within one minute.

< The anti-disaster control center located on the first basement floor provides the ability to centrally monitor the power supply, lighting, CCTV system, access control and other utility services. >

Going Green: A Striking Example of Sustainable Design

NEATT serves as a model of sustainable design strategies, carefully balancing energy conservation, increased indoor environmental quality, and occupant comfort. With a range of passive design strategies such as daylighting, natural ventilation and energy-efficient HVAC systems, the tower targets to achieve LEED^® Silver certification.

Like other buildings in New Songdo City, NEATT purchases district hot water from a new, highly efficient cogeneration facility located nearby. Hot water, used for heating and cooling via absorption chillers, is generated from waste heat recovered during the process of producing electricity. The building is estimated to reduce source-energy CO2 emissions by 6,000 tons per year when compared to a “standard” code-compliant office tower with on-site electric chillers and a natural-gas boiler plant.

Furthermore, the paint, carpets and wallpaper used in the construction of the building’s interior were of eco-friendly, non-toxic material in order to prevent the occurrence of Sick Building Syndrome.

* NEATT sustainability design features referenced from articles by ARUP and Built Expressions

<A Night View of the NEAT Tower and Songdo International Business District, Incheon>

The Northeast Asia Trade Tower is expected to boost the regional economy along with an increase in floating population, markets, employment and visitors from overseas once companies move into the building. Moreover, it appears to give momentum to draw more businesses to Songdo International Business District since clients of Daewoo International and other companies engaged in the related fields are expected to move into the building. We hope that NEAT tower will soon become Korea’s most well-known landmark in the days to come!

POSCO held its board meeting on February 24^th to announce the nominations for outside and in-house directors. On this day, Ilsup Kim, President of Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies (aSSIST), Wooyoung Sun, Executive Partner at law firm Seah, and Donghyun Ahn, Professor of Economics at Seoul National University, were named candidates for outside directors. In addition, Jinil Kim, President of POSCO CHEMTECH, Younghoon Lee, Senior Vice President of POSCO Engineering & Construction, and Executive Vice President Dongjoon Yoon, were named candidates for in-house directors.

Outside director candidate, Ilsup Kim of aSSIST, has held previous roles including Vice President of Samil PwC, Vice Chancellor of Ewha Women’s University’s School of Business, and Chairman of Deloitte Korea. Executive Partner, Wooyoung Sun served at various posts including Chief Prosecutor at Uijeongbu and Cheongju district public prosecutor’s office as well as at Seoul Eastern District Prosecutor’s Office. Lastly, Professor Donghyun Ahn served as Assistant Professor at Korea University’s College of Business Administration, Associate Professor at University of North Carolina, and Financial Strategy officer at RBS.

In-house director nominee, POSCO CHEMTECH President Jinil Kim, joined POSCO in 1975 and has worked as General Superintendent at Pohang Works as well as the Head of Carbon Steel Business Division. From 2011, he transferred to POSCO CHEMTECH and is currently the CEO. Senior Vice President Younghoon Lee joined POSCO in 1985 and has served in many posts including Manager of the Finance Department and Head of the Corporate Strategy Department. He currently is the director of Business Planning at POSCO Engineering & Construction. Finally, Executive Vice President, Dongjoon Yoon joined POSCO in 1983 and has held various positions including Manager of the Business Innovation Department, Head of Global HR, and Director of Business Planning at POSCO Engineering & Construction. He returned to POSCO last year and is currently the Director for Business Strategy.

For the first time since the founding of POSCO, all nominated in-house directors have prior experience working at invested companies of POSCO. As such, it is anticipated that the newly elected board of directors will have more understanding and consideration of each other’s position. Candidate Ohjoon Kwon CEO has prior experience working at the Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology of POSCO and Senior Executive Vice President  Inhwan Chang recently returned from his role as CEO of POSCO P&S.

Following a qualification screening and process of eligibility by the Nomination Committee and current Board of Directors, these individuals were nominated as likely candidates to be appointed. They will be officially appointed this coming March 14^th at the general shareholders’ meeting.