SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean steelmaker POSCO’s No. 1 blast furnace, which served as a cornerstone for the nation’s economic development as well as a cradle of the nation’s steel history, has shut down after 48 years of service.
On Wednesday, POSCO held a closing ceremony for the blast furnace in the steelmaker’s integrated steel mill in Pohang, 370 kilometers south of Seoul.
The No. 1 blast furnace started pouring molten metal on Jun. 9, 1973. Thanks to the successful completion of the furnace, the country was able to produce steel for itself.
Over the past 48 years, the blast furnace has produced 55.2 million tons of crude steel.
POSCO said considering the historical value and significance of the furnace, it will renovate the furnace into the Pohang No. 1 Blast Furnace Museum and open it to the public.
Image Credit: POSCO / photonews@koreabizwire.com
