The chief executive of South Korean steelmaker POSCO will step down before his term ends in 2020 as he is keen for a younger person to lead the firm, the company said on Wednesday.
Kwon Oh-joon, 69, offered his resignation at an emergency board meeting, but will stay in the post until the company appoints a new chief, a spokesman said.
Kwon took over as CEO of the country’s top steelmaker in March 2014. He was re-appointed in March last year, and his term was set to end in March 2020.
POSCO in January reported a 144 per cent surge in fourth-quarter operating profit, helped by steel price gains, but fell short of market estimates as higher raw material costs cut into earnings.
According to Reuters, the spokesman denied any link between Kwon’s resignation offer and a change of government last May.
POSCO was privatised in 2000, but chief executives have previously been replaced when a new administration takes office, local media reported.