Executive Director Jung Sang-seop of Samsung Electronics Foundry Business Department was awarded with ‘Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit’, which is the highest honor given by National Quality Management Convention. Executive Director Jung had led the construction of world’s first 7nm EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) production line and was recognized for his contribution towards strengthening the competitive edge of South Korea’s semiconductor industry and improving South Korean semiconductors.
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s (MOTIE) Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) held ‘The 45th National Quality Management Convention’ at KOEX on the 13th and rewarded companies and men of merit who have created outstanding results through quality management activities.
Including Executive Director Jung, 439 awards were handed out to men of merit and companies such as Korea Water Resources Corporation and NEXEN TIRE that have strived to innovate quality. One Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, one Steel Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, one Stone Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, two Industrial Service Medals, 20 Presidential Awards, 11 Prime Minister Awards, 29 Minister Awards, and 374 other awards were handed out.
National Quality Management Convention looks for men of merit and companies that contribute to improvement in competitive edge of industries through active quality management activities and awards them. It is also a place where workers from various industries who contribute to quality management gather and summarize performance from the corresponding year. Government representatives including Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and 2,000 executives and employees from awarded companies attended the convention.
Executive Director Jung was awarded with Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit that is the highest award given to an individual man of merit. He was recognized for its contribution towards the construction of Samsung Electronics’ EUV production line. EUV process is a state-of-the-art technology that uses EUV light source for photolithography process to manufacture a semiconductor. EUV light source uses wavelength that is much shorter than that of ArF light source and it can create very fine patterns. Samsung Electronics has started manufacturing world’s first semiconductors using 7nm EUV process and it continues to maintain a leading status within the world’s semiconductor industry.

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<Executive Director Jung Sang-seop of Samsung Electronics>

President Lim Gaap-chool of MCM who has contributed to localizing water treatment components for water purifier and refrigerator was awarded with Steel Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit while Director Hyung Hyung-woo of National Quality Master Association who has contributed to disseminating quality management within small to midsize companies was awarded with Stone Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit. In addition, 44 men of merit such as President Lee Hyung-choon of SAM Kwang Precision Industrial Co., Ltd. who has contributed to localizing fastener were also awarded.
Regarding group awards, Korea Water Resources Corporation and an automotive part manufacturer called Dongbo received National Quality Grand Prizes. Korea Water Resources Corporation was recognized for providing high-quality water service through quality innovation and enhanced business and establishing a comprehensive water resources platform. Dongbo has developed high precision car engine and transmission parts through continuous R&D and improvement in its technologies.
296 circles such as NEXEN TIRE’s Beads of Sweat Circle were selected as Outstanding Quality Control Circles (QCC). Beads of Sweat Circle has reduced nonconforming item ratio by 51%.
17 people such as Deputy Director Kim Doo-jong of Korea Western Power’s West Incheon Power Headquarters displayed craftsmanship and were selected as National Quality Masters as they were recognized for their contributions in leading QCC-related activities.
Staff Reporter Byun, Sanggeun | sgbyun@etnews.com