POSCO partners with Seoul to build circular economy

The “I-SEOUL-YOU” sculpture [Photo provided by Seoul]

The “I-SEOUL-YOU” sculptures that were installed in various parts of Seoul during the tenure of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon will be recycled into steel at POSCO.

This is according to a business agreement to promote a circular economy and society that the Korean steelmaker signed with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday. The main content of the agreement is to manufacture public structures and sculptures in Seoul with eco-friendly steel products and recycle materials.

Under the agreement, POSCO will recycle the “I-SEOUL-YOU” sculpture, the slogan of former Mayor Park, which was removed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, by melting it in an electric furnace at POSCO.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government removed the ‘I-SEOUL-YOU’ sculptures in February and March this year, and the sculptures stored in a warehouse weigh 14 tons in total.

In addition, POSCO will manufacture the sculpture of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s new slogan, “Seoul, my soul,” with its eco-friendly steel product, Greenate Certified Steel. Customers who purchase Greenate Certified Steel, which POSCO launched last month, will be recognized for reducing their carbon footprint.

The new slogan sculptures will initially be erected at three major locations in Seoul, including Seoul Plaza. In addition, information boards made of Greenate Certified Steel will be installed on the city’s main perimeter roads, including Gwanaksan, Suraksan, and Woomyeonsan.

“Seoul, my soul” is the city’s third slogan, following former Mayor Lee Myung-bak’s “Hi Seoul” and former Mayor Park’s “I-SEOUL-YOU”. Oh began working on the slogan last year, saying, “The meaning of ‘I-SEOUL-YOU’ was unclear.”