Dongkuk Steel was established as Daegung Industries by Chairman Chang Kyung-Ho in Busan. After Korea was liberated from Japanese rule, he set up Choseon Wires in 1949 to produce wires and nails.

Chairman Chang established Dongkuk Steel in Seoul with capital accumulated through Choseon Wires. He then built a large-scale steel plant in Busan (726,000m2), which eventually became the base for the company.

Dongkuk Steel was the first company to produce plates in Korea. After merging with Hankuk Steel Industry, which would eventually become the basis of Dongkuk’s Incheon Works, an era of mass production began with continuous casting.

Dongkuk’s scope grew tremendously in accordance with the increase in production. The basis of independent management was established in this time through positive management rationalization, including plant computerization and online management.

The basis of Dongkuk’s digital era was established in this time, from acquisition of materials to production and shipping. Even during the Asian financial crisis, Dongkuk continued to break productivity records and strengthen its competitive power with ultra-modern facilities and technical know.

1991 Pohang No.1 Plate Mill Works completed (70,000tons/year) 1993 2nd Incheon Works completed; DC electric furnace, a first in Korea 1994 Permanent no-strike declared, a first in Korea   Plan to build No.2 Plate Mill Works declared 1995 Annual sales reach $1 billion 1996 Songwon Culture Foundation established ($10 million) 1997 Pohang No. 2 Plate Mill & Section Mill Works completed 1998 Aggregate production plate products reaches 5 million tons 1999 Bar Mill Works in Pohang completed (400,000 tons/year)   Comprehensive cooperation agreement reached with Kawasaki steel(Japan, presently JFE Steel)   Busan Plant merges with Yeongseong Steel and begins operations   Recipient of $400 million Exportation Tower prize on Trade Day

Dongkuk’s scope grows tremendously in accordance with its increase in production. The company’s basis of independent management was established during this time through positive management rationalization, including plant computerization and online management.

2000 Chang Sae-Joo appointed as president   Busan Works demolished and Pohang Period started   Chairman Chang Sang-Tae passes away   Dongkuk Steel separates from the group 2001 JIS certificate for all steel products obtained   2nd Establishment & Pohang Period declared   Chang Sae-Joo appointed as chairman 2003 Continuous welding roll forming line installed, a first in Korea Pohang Works achieves 500 days without an accident, a first in the steel industry   Annual sales reach $2 billion   Dongkuk Steel secures 75% of Union Steel shares 2004 New corporate image declared on 50th anniversary   Annual sales reach $3 billion 2005 Dongkuk Steel plans to enter Brazil market, a first for a Korean steel company   Dongkuk Steel merges with Yuil Elec. (DK UIL)   Affiliation formed with DK U&C   PI (Process Innovation) established at all Group companies   Construction begins at Ceara Steel, Brazil 2006 Strategic cooperation formed with JFE Steel   Construction at Dangjin Plate Plant begins 2007 Construction of shipping yard for Dangjin Plate Plant begins   Dongkuk Steel reaches no-negotiation wage agreement with the company’s union for the 13th consecutive year   Main office moves to Gangnam-gu   Dongkuk Steel announces entrance into a blast furnace project in Brazil 2008 Construction of the new R&D Center begins   Dongkuk Steel-Vale establishes the joint company, CSP in Brazil   A ground-breaking ceremony for ‘Ferrum Tower’ in Suha-dong 2009 Construction of 120-ton electric (eco arc type) furnace begins at Incheon Works   Construction of new R&D Center completed   Trial plates produced at Dangjin Plant   Korea's widest-ever milling plates produced at Dangjin Plant