Major figures in business and politics gave tribute on Wednesday to POSCO’s founder and honorary chairman Park Tae-joon who died on Tuesday at 84.

“Honorary chairman Park Tae-joon has always been the pillar for us and we feel deeply sad about his death,” said Chung Joon-yang, chairman of POSCO, at Severance Hospital in Seoul on Wednesday. “Honoring his dedication, POSCO employees will make efforts to turn the company into the leading steelmaker in the world.”

Chung cut short his business trip schedule and flew back from Thailand to Seoul early Wednesday to pay tribute to the late Park.

Well-known business leaders and political figures also expressed their condolences over the death of Park from late Tuesday to Wednesday, reflecting the heightened public attention to the “steel king,” whose iconic efforts helped put a powerful Korean steelmaker on the global map.

Former President Chun Doo-hwan and his wife Lee Soon-ja were among the well-known politicians who visited the hospital.

Former POSCO chairman Yoo Sang-boo and former advisor Yoh Sang-whan also visited the hospital to pay their condolences.

Other business leaders who paid their respects included Kumho-Asiana Group chairman Park Sam-koo, Doosan Group chairman Park Yong-hyun and Mitsubishi Corporation CEO Ken Kobayashi.

POSCO said it has set up memorial alters for Park at its headquarters and other regional buildings so that its employees can pay tribute.

By Yang Sung-jin (insight@heraldcorp.com)