POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa Chang stated that the group aims to deliver tangible outcomes from future investments through bold structural transformation amid an increasingly complex global crisis environment and to prove these outcomes with clear figures.

POSCO Group held its first group management meeting of the year on January 29 under the chairmanship of In-hwa Chang. During the meeting, business plans of group affiliates and key pending issues were reviewed. Major agenda items included increasing competitiveness by business segment, presenting management performance in quantitative terms and achieving a clear increase in efficiency.

Speaking at the meeting, Chang emphasized that rising global trade barriers and a prolonged low growth environment require a fundamental restructuring centered on profitability to overcome stagnation. He stated that the group will shift to a high intensity emergency management mode in order to restore market confidence.

In the steel sector, POSCO Group aims to build a stable profit structure through structural cost innovation and an increase in sales of high value added products. As part of this strategy, the group plans to accelerate its decarbonization process by starting construction of a hydrogen based steelmaking prototype plant and completing the electric arc furnace in Gwangyang. In addition, a fully localized strategy in global markets is planned. The group will continue work on the Louisiana steel plant project in the United States, cooperation with Cleveland Cliffs and joint venture efforts for an integrated steel plant in India.

In growth focused areas such as secondary battery materials and infrastructure, POSCO Group plans to turn a strong foreign exchange environment and increasing lithium prices into opportunities. The group aims to begin commercial lithium production at full capacity in Argentina and complete its lithium mine partnership with Mineral Resources in Australia. These investments are expected to deliver tangible revenue growth and performance improvement.

Chang also emphasized that the energy sector should become a new core business linking steel and secondary battery materials operations. He stated that POSCO Group will continue investments to expand LNG production capacity and strengthen global trading capabilities, with the goal of making energy a key profit engine for the group.

Safety management innovation and artificial intelligence transformation were also highlighted as key elements of the group’s restructuring. Chang emphasized that artificial intelligence will be a major driving force shaping POSCO Group’s future and stated that its use will be expanded across production facilities and office processes.

In his closing remarks, Chang emphasized that POSCO Group has the capability to create opportunities even during crisis periods and stated that 2026 will be a critical year for the group. He added that future growth investments must be converted into concrete results through meticulous planning and strong execution.

POSCO Group’s quarterly management meetings serve as a platform to review medium and long term strategies and address key issues. The latest meeting was attended by Chairman In-hwa Chang, group executives and CEOs of affiliated companies.