POSCO's response
15 February 2021
We, POSCO C&C, appreciate this opportunity to reply to your inquiry. Our response to the articles cited in your inquiry dated February 9, 2021 is provided below.
- Regarding the Justice for Myanmar article dated February 4
The gist of this article published by the Justice for Myanmar is that the business activity conducted by the joint venture between POSCO C&C and a local Myanmar company has allegedly enabled the military coup in Myanmar.
However, the position of POSCO C&C is that the above allegation that our joint venture with a local Myanmar company has led to the recent coup is exaggerated. Furthermore, POSCO C&C aims to comply with international norms as well as the local laws and regulations of Myanmar in conducting its business activity and to contribute to the betterment of the wellbeing of the people of Myanmar and the country’s economic development through our business activities. Rather, POSCO C&C faces difficulties of being unable to execute our normal business plan due to recent volatile political situation in Myanmar.
2. Regarding the Myanmar Now article dated November 27, 2020
POSCO C&C was notified from the Korea National Contact Point(“KNCP”) of the OECD Guideline for Multinational Enterprises that Korean and Myanmar NGO activists have filed complaints against POSCO C&C. POSCO C&C has submitted our opinion regarding the case and is actively engaging KNCP to resolve concerns. We plan to faithfully take part in dialogue with the complainants to be arranged through the KNCP and to attentively listen to their opinions and find ways of addressing their concerns.
3. Regarding the Burma Campaign UK Article dated February 5, 2021
We have suspended all dividend payments to MEHL, which is a joint venture partner of POSCO C&C, until it is confirmed that the dividends paid by POSCO C&C have not been used for any purposes violating the human rights. We are currently verifying that dividend payments collected by MEHL have not been used for human rights violations and seek to ensure that the dividends shall not be used for such purposes in the future. If the allegations regarding the illegal activity by MEHL in use of its dividend are found to be serious, we are considering a thorough review of our joint venture relationship with MEHL by referencing the precedent of KIRIN, which was also cited in the said Burma Campaign article.
As explained above, POSCO C&C takes very seriously the human rights related concerns raised by multiple NGOs regarding our joint venture in Myanmar and is currently re-examining whether our business activities are somehow associated with human right violations in Myanmar. Even though we have made our best efforts to respond to inquiries submitted by each NGO including BHRRC in good faith and provide our consistent message and solutions, we ask for your understanding that due to the situation brought on by COVID-19 coupled with the rapid changes in the political situation in Myanmar, we still have difficulty in promptly responding to each and every request including your request for information.
