As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 201527, 2017

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form20-F

(Mark One)

OR

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20142016

OR

OR

Date of event requiring this shell company report            

Forthetransitionperiodfrom             to            

Commission file number1-13368

POSCO

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

POSCO Center, 440Teheran-ro,Gangnam-gu

Seoul, Korea 135-77706194

(Address of principal executive offices)

Kee, HyojinKim, Jieun

POSCO Center, 440Teheran-ro,Gangnam-gu

Seoul, Korea 135-77706194

Telephone: +82-2-3457-2671; +82-2-3457-1462;E-mail: irenekee@posco.com; jieun.kim@posco.com; Facsimile: +82-2-3457-1982+82-2-3457-1982

(Name, telephone,e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

As of December 31, 2014,2016, there were 79,993,02879,997,665 shares of common stock, par value Won 5,000 per share, outstanding (not

(not including 7,193,8077,189,170 shares of common stock held by the company as treasury shares)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is awell-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.Yes  x☒        No  ¨☐

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.Yes  ¨    Yes☐Nox☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yesx☒No¨☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes¨☐    No¨☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer.an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filerfiler” and large accelerated filer”“emerging growth company” inRule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Largeacceleratedfilerx☒Acceleratedfiler¨☐        Non-accelerated Non-acceleratedfiler¨☐Emerginggrowthcompany☐

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.U.S. GAAP  ¨    U.S.GAAP☐IFRSx☒Other¨☐

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.    Item 17  ¨☐    Item 18¨☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes¨☐Nox☒

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY

Any discrepancies in any table between totals and the sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding.

PART I

Item 1.  IdentityofDirectors,SeniorManagersandAdvisers

Item 1.A.DirectorsandSeniorManagement

Not applicable

Item 1.B.1.B.Advisers

Not applicable

Item 1.C.  AuditorsAuditor

Not applicable

Item 2.  OfferStatisticsandExpectedTimetable

Not applicable

Item 2.A.Offer Statistics

Not applicable

Item 2.B.Method and Expected Timetable

Not applicable

Item 3.  Key Information

Item 3.A.  SelectedFinancialData

The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected financial data in Won as of December 31, 20132015 and 20142016 and for each of the years in thethree-year period ended December 31, 20142016 were derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

In addition to preparing financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report, we also prepare financial statements in accordance with Korean International Financial Reporting Standards(“K-IFRS”) as adopted by the Korean Accounting Standards Board (the “KASB”), which we are required to file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea.FSCMA. English translations of such financial statements are furnished to the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC under Form6-K. During the three years ended December 31, 2014, Starting in 2012, we arewere required to adopt certain amendments and interpretations toK-IFRS, relating to presentation of operating profit. Additionally, underK-IFRS, revenue from the development and sale of certain real estate is recognized using the percentage of completion method. However, under IFRS as issued by the IASB, revenue from the development and sale of real estate is recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. As a result, our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and our consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report differ from our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance withK-IFRS. See “Item 5.A. Operating Results—Results — Explanatory Note Regarding Presentation of Certain Financial Information underK-IFRS.”

The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations and should be read in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this annual report.

Selected consolidated statement of comprehensive income data

Selected consolidated statements of financial position data

Selected consolidated statements of cash flows data

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

The following table sets out information concerning the market average exchange rate for the periods and dates indicated.

Source: Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

Item 3.B.  3.B.  Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable

Item 3.C.Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

Item 3.D.  3.D.  Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below.

The global economic downturn may adversely affect our business and performance. The global economic outlook for the near future remains uncertain.

Our business is affected by highly cyclical market demand for our steel products from a number of industries, including the construction, automotive, shipbuilding and electrical appliances industries as well as downstream steel processors, which are sensitive to general conditions in the global economy. Macroeconomic factors, such as the economic growth rate, employment levels, interest rates, inflation rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, demographic trends and fiscal policies of governments can have a significant effect on such industries. From time to time, these industries have experienced significant and sometimes prolonged downturns, which, in turn, have negatively impacted our steel business. The global economic outlook for the near future remains uncertain, particularly in light of concerns regarding the financial difficulties affecting many governments worldwide, including southern Europe and Latin America, as well as the recent slowdown of economic growth and financial instability in China and other major emerging market economies, fluctuations in oil and commodity prices, financial difficulties affecting governments in southern Europe and Latin America, and political and social instability in various countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa, including Iraq, Syria and Yemen,Egypt, as well as in Ukraine and Russia. In particular, the Chinese economy, which in recent years has been one of the main demand drivers in the global steel industry, has experienced a slowdown in growth since 2012 and continues to show signs of deterioration, despite successive fiscal and monetary stimulus measures implemented by the Chinese government.

An actual or anticipated further deterioration of global economic conditions may result in a decline in demand for our products that could have a negative impact on the prices at which they can be sold. In such a case, we will likely face pressure to reduce prices and we may need to rationalize our production capacity and reduce fixed costs. In the past, we have adjusted our crude steel production levels and sales prices in response to sluggish demand from our customers in industries adversely impacted by the deteriorating economic conditions. We recordedproduced 41.4 million tons of crude steel production of 39.7in 2014, 42.0 million tons in 2012, 38.32015 and 42.2 million tons in 2013 and 37.7 million tons in 2014.2016. The average unit sales prices for oursemi-finished and finished steel products were Won 1,071 thousand per ton in 2012, Won 998 thousand per ton in 2013 and Won 936 thousand per ton in 2014.2014, Won 798 thousand per ton in 2015 and Won 745 thousand per ton in 2016.

We expect that fluctuation in demand for our steel products and trading services to continue to prevail at least in the near future. We may decide to further adjust our future crude steel production or our sales prices on anon-going basis subject to market demand for our products, the production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general. In addition, economic downturns in the Korean and global economies could result in market conditions characterized by weaker demand for steel products from a number of industries as well as falling prices for export and import products and reduced trade levels. Deterioration of market conditions may result in changes in assumptions underlying the carrying value of certain assets, which in turn could result in impairment of such assets, including intangible assets such as goodwill. In addition, our ability to reduce expenditures for production facilities and research and development during an industry downturn is limited because of the need to maintain our competitive position. If we are unable to reduce our expenses sufficiently to offset reductions in price and sales volume, our margins will suffer and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Korea is our most important market, and our current business and future growth could be materially and adversely affected if economic conditions in Korea deteriorate.

We are incorporated in Korea, and a substantial portion of our operations and assets are located in Korea. Korea is our most important market, accounting for 44.6%39.4% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2014.2016. Domestic demand for our products is affected by the condition of major steel consuming industries, such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive, electrical

appliances and downstream steel processors, and the Korean economy in general. In addition, the trading operations of POSCO Daewoo International Corporation (“Daewoo International”POSCO Daewoo”), our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold a 60.3% interest, are affected by the general level of trade between Korea and other countries, which in turn tends to fluctuate based on general conditions in the Korean and

global economies. As a result, we are subject to political, economic, legal and regulatory risks specific to Korea. The economic indicators in Korea in recent years have shown mixed signs, and future growth of the Korean economy is subject to many factors beyond our control, including developments in the global economy.

Due to recent liquidity and credit concerns and volatility in the global financial markets, the value of the Won relative to the Dollar and other foreign currencies and the stock prices of Korean companies have fluctuated significantly in recent years. In particular, there has been increasedthe global financial markets continue to experience significant volatility in light of the slowdown of economic growth in China and other major emerging economies as well as concerns regarding the financial difficulties affecting many governments worldwide, including southern Europe and Latin America, as well as the recent slowdown of economic growth in China and other major emerging market economies.low oil prices. In addition, political and social instability in various countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa, including Iraq, Syria and Yemen,Egypt, as well as in Ukraine and Russia, havehas resulted in an increase in volatility in the global financial markets. Accordingly, the overall prospects for the Korean and global economies in the remainder of 20152017 and beyond remain uncertain. Any future deterioration of the Korean or global economy could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Developments that could have an adverse impact on Korea’s economy include:

We rely on export sales for a significant portion of our total sales. Adverse economic and financial developments in Asia in the future may have an adverse effect on demand for our products in Asia and increase our foreign exchange risks.

Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad accounted for 55.4%60.6% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2014.2016. Our export sales volume to customers in Asia, including China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, accounted for 66.7%63.2% of our total export sales revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2014,2016, and we expect our sales to these countries especially to China, to remain important in the future. In particular, our export volume to China has increased in recent years and accounted for 29.0% of our total export sales revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2016. Accordingly, adverse economic and financial developments in these countries may have an adverse effect on demand for our products. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions, which can be caused, among others, by difficulties in the financial sector, corporate, political or other scandals that may reduce confidence in the markets (such as the ongoing political scandal in Korea involving the impeachment and dismissal of the President), declines in business confidence, increases in inflation, natural disasters or pandemics, outbreaks of hostilities or other geopolitical instability. Deterioration in economic or diplomatic relations between Korea and its trading partners or allies, including deterioration resulting from territorial or trade disputes or disagreements in foreign policy (such as the ongoing controversy between Korea and China, which is Korea’s largest export market, regarding the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in Korea by the United States in March 2017 and the ensuing economic and other retaliatory actions by China), or a combination of these or other factors, have, in the past adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, demand for our products.

Economic weakness in Asia may also adversely affect our sales to the Korean companies that export to the region, especially companies in the construction, shipbuilding, automotive, electrical appliances and downstream steel processing industries. Weaker demand in these countries, combined with addition of new steelan increase in global production capacity, particularly in China, may also reduce export prices in Dollar terms of our principal products.products sold to customers in Asia. For a discussion of productionover-capacity in the global steel industry, see “— We operate in the highly competitive steel, trading and construction industries, and our failure to successfully compete would adversely affect our market position and business.” We attempt to maintain and expand our export sales to generate foreign currency receipts to cover our foreign currency purchases and debt service requirements. Consequently, any decrease in our export sales could also increase our foreign exchange risks.

Depreciation of the value of the Won against the Dollar and other major foreign currencies may have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations and on the price of the ADSs.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared from our local currency denominated financial results, assets and liabilities and our subsidiaries around the world, which are then translated into Won. A substantial proportion of our consolidated financial results is accounted for in currencies other than the Won. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results and assets and liabilities may be materially affected by changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies. In 2014, 55.4%2016, 60.6% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us was in overseas markets outside of Korea. To the extent that we incur costs in one currency and make sales in another, our profit margins may be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the two currencies. Since the currency in which sales are recorded may not be the same as the currency in which expenses are incurred, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may materially affect our results of operations. Depreciation of the Won may materially affect the results of our operations because, among other things, it causes:

Appreciation of the Won against major currencies, on the other hand, causes:

We strive to naturally offset our foreign exchange risk by matching foreign currency receivables with our foreign currency payables and our overseas subsidiaries have sought to further mitigate the adverse impact of exchange rate fluctuations by conducting business transactions in the local currency of the respective market in which the transactions occur. In particular, Daewoo International’sPOSCO Daewoo’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because Daewoo International’sPOSCO Daewoo’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is partially mitigated by such strategies, we and our subsidiaries, particularly POSCO Daewoo International and POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (“POSCO E&C”), also periodically enter into derivative contracts, primarily foreign currency swaps and forward exchange contracts, to further hedge some of our foreign exchange risks. However, our results of operations

have historically been affected by exchange rate fluctuations and there can be no assurance that such strategies will be sufficient to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of such fluctuations in the future. Because of the larger positive effects of the appreciation of the Won (i.e., the reverse of the negative effects caused by the depreciation of the Won, as discussed above), depreciation of the Won generally has a negative impact on our results of operations.

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Won and the Dollar will also affect the Dollar equivalent of the Won price of the shares of our common stock on the KRX KOSPI Market and, as a result, will likely affect the market price of the ADSs. These fluctuations will also affect the Dollar conversion by the depositary for the ADRs of cash dividends, if any, paid in Won on shares of common stock represented by the ADSs.

We are dependent on imported raw materials, and significant increases in market prices of essential raw materials could adversely affect our margins and profits.

We purchase substantially all of the principal raw materials we use from sources outside Korea, including iron ore and coal. POSCO imported approximately 53.852.6 million dry metric tons of iron ore and 28.4 million wet metric tons of coal in 2014.2016. Iron ore is imported primarily from Australia, Brazil and Canada. Coal is imported primarily from Australia, Canada Russia and the United States.Russia. Although we have not experienced significant unanticipated supply disruptions in the past, supply disruptions, which could be caused by political or other events in the countries from which we import these materials, could adversely affect our operations. In addition, we are particularly exposed to increases in the prices of coal, iron ore and nickel, which represent the largest components of our cost of goods sold. The prices of our key raw materials have fluctuated significantly in recent years. For example, the average market price of coal per wet metric ton (benchmark free on board price of Peak Downs Australian premium hard coking coal) was US$209126 in 2012,2014, US$159102 in 20132015 and US$125114 in 2014.2016. The average market price of iron ore per dry metric ton (free on board price of Platts Iron(Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China index with iron (Fe) 62% content)announced by Platts) was US$122 in 2012, US$126 in 2013 and US$88 in 2014.

Ourlong-term supply contracts generally have terms of three to ten years and provide for periodic price adjustments to thethen-market prices. We typically adjust the prices on a quarterly basis and maintain approximately one month of inventory of raw materials. Such price negotiationsadjustments are driven by various factors, including the global economic outlook, global market prices of raw materials and steel products, supply and demand outlook of raw materials and production costs of raw materials. Typically,In the case of coal, globally influencedinfluential buyers and sellers of raw materialscoal determine benchmark prices of raw materials,coal, based on which other buyers and sellers negotiate their prices after taking into consideration the quality of raw materialscoal and other factors. In the case of iron ore, if we fail to agree on the quarterly price adjustment within a predetermined deadline, the supplier and we typically agree on the purchase price primarily based on the price formula that reflects the spot market price as well as the quality of iron ore and transportation expense.periodically announced by Platts (Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China Index). As of December 31, 2014, 1372016, 144 million tons of iron ore and 3222 million tons of coal remained to be purchased underlong-term supply contracts. Future increases in prices of our key raw materials and our inability to pass along such increases to our customers could adversely affect our margins and profits. Increased prices may also cause potential customers to defer purchase of steel products, while rapidly falling prices may increase loss on valuation of raw material inventory purchased when prices were higher, either of which wouldcould have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate in the highly competitive steel, trading and constructingconstruction industries, and our failure to successfully compete would adversely affect our market position and business.

Steel. The markets for our steel products are highly competitive and we face intense global competition. In recent years, driven in part by strong growth in steel consumption in the developing world, particularly in China, the global steel industry has experienced renewed interest in expansion of steel production capacity. China is the largest steel producing country in the world by a significant margin, with the balance between its domestic production and demand being an important factor in the

determination of global steel prices. In addition, the global steel industry has experienced consolidation in the past, decade, including through the merger of Mittal and Arcelor in 2006 that created a company with approximately 10% of global steel production capacity.2006. Competition from global steel manufacturers with expanded production capacity such as ArcelorMittal S.A. and new market entrants, especially from China and India, havehas resulted in significant price competition and may result in declining margins and reductions in revenue. Our larger competitors may use their resources, which may be greater than ours, against us in a variety of ways, including by making additional acquisitions, investing more aggressively in product development and capacity and displacing demand for our export products.

The increased production capacity, combined with a decrease in demand due to the recent slowdown of the global economy, has resulted in productionover-capacity in the global steel industry. In particular, increase in steel production in China has outpaced its domestic demand for steel products in recent years, which imbalance has been exacerbated by the recent slowdown in China’s economic growth rate. As a result, China has become an increasingly larger exporter of steel, which in turn has resulted in downward pressure on global steel prices. Productionover-capacity in the global steel industry may intensify if the slowdown of the global economy is prolonged or demand from developing countries, particularly from China, does not meetcontinues to lag behind the recent growth in production capacity. Productionover-capacity in the global steel industry is likely to:

Steel also competes with other natural and synthetic materials that may be used as steel substitutes, such as aluminum, cement, composites, glass, plastic and wood. Government regulatory

initiatives mandating the use of such materials instead of steel, whether for environmental or other reasons, as well as the development of attractive alternative substitutes for steel products, may reduce demand for steel products and increase competition in the global steel industry.

As part of our strategy to compete in this challenging landscape, we will continue to invest in developing innovative products that offer the greatest potential returns and enhance the overall quality of our products, as well as make additional investments in the development of new manufacturing technologies. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to compete successfully in this economic environment or that the prolonged slowdown of the global economy or productionover-capacity will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Trading. POSCO Daewoo International competes principally with six other Korean general trading companies, each of which is affiliated with a major domestic business group, as well as global trading companies based in other countries. In the domestic market, competition for export transactions on behalf of domestic suppliers and import transactions on behalf of domestic purchasers was limited, as most affiliated general trading companies of large Korean business groups generally relied on affiliate transactions for the bulk of their trading business. However, in recent years, many of these Korean general trading companies have reduced their reliance on their affiliated business group and transactions carried out on behalf of their member companies and instead have generally evolved to focus on segments of the import and export markets in which they have a competitive advantage. As a result, competition among Korean general trading companies in the area of traditional trade has become more intense.

The overseas trading markets in which POSCO Daewoo International operates are also highly competitive. Daewoo International’sPOSCO Daewoo’s principal competitors in the overseas trading markets include Korean trading companies that operate in various international markets, as well as foreign trading companies, particularly those based in Japan. As POSCO Daewoo International diversifies into businesses other than traditional trading such as natural resources development, it also increasingly competes with other Korean and international companies involved in these businesses. Some of Daewoo International’sPOSCO Daewoo’s competitors may be more experienced and have greater financial resources and pricing flexibility than POSCO Daewoo, International, as well as more extensive global networks and wider access to customers. There is no assurance that POSCO Daewoo International will be able to continue to compete successfully in this economic environment or that the prolonged slowdown of the global economy will not have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

Construction. POSCO E&C, our consolidated subsidiary, in which we hold an 89.5% interest, operates in the highly competitive construction industry. Competition is based primarily on price, reputation for quality, reliability, punctuality and financial strength of contractors. Intense competition among construction companies may result in, among other things, a decrease in the price POSCO E&C can charge for its services, difficulty in winning bids for construction projects, an increase in construction costs and difficulty in obtaininghigh-quality contractors and qualified employees.

In Korea, POSCO E&C’s main competition in the construction of residential andnon-residential buildings, EPC (or engineering, procurement and construction) projects, urban planning and development projects and civil works projects consists of approximately ten major domestic construction companies, all of which are member companies of other large business groups in Korea and are capable of undertakinglarger-scale,higher-value-added projects that offer greater potential returns. A series of measures introduced by the Government over the past few years to regulate housing prices in Korea, as well as increasing popularity oflow-bid contracts in civil works project mandates, have contributed to increased competition in the Korean construction industry in recent years.

Competition for new project awards in overseas markets is also intense. In these markets, POSCO E&C faces competition from local construction companies, as well as international

construction companies from other countries, including other major Korean construction companies with overseas operations. Construction companies from other developed countries may be more experienced, have greater financial resources and possess more sophisticated technology than POSCO E&C, while construction companies from developing countries often have the advantage of lower wage costs. Some of these competitors have achieved higher market penetration than POSCO E&C has in specific markets in which it competes, and POSCO E&C may need to accept lower margins in order for it to compete successfully against them. POSCO E&C’s failure to successfully compete in the domestic or overseas construction markets could adversely affect its market position and its results of operations and financial condition.

We may not be able to successfully execute our diversification strategy.

In part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market, our overall strategy includes securingwe have made investments in recent years to secure new growth engines by diversifying into new businesses related to our steel operations that we believe will offer greater potential returns, such as participation in EPC projects in the steel sector and natural resources development, as well as entering into new businesses not related to our steel operations such as power generation and alternative energy solutions, and production of comprehensive materials such as lithium, nickel, silicon, carbonmagnesium and magnesium, information and technology consulting services, and automation and system integration engineering services.cobalt. From time to time, we may selectively acquire or invest in companies to pursue such diversification strategy. For example, in September 2010, we acquired a controlling interest in Daewoo International for Won 3.37 trillion. Daewoo International is a global trading company that primarily engages in trading of steel and raw materials as well as investing in energy and mineral development projects.

The success of the overall diversification strategy will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the growth opportunities and anticipated synergies. The realization of the anticipated benefits depends

on numerous factors, some of which are outside our control, including the availability of qualified personnel, establishment of new relationships and expansion of existing relationships with various customers and suppliers, procurement of necessary technology andknow-how to engage in such businesses and access to investment capital at reasonable costs. The realization of the anticipated benefits may be impeded, delayed or reduced as a result of numerous factors, some of which are outside our control. These factors include:

Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our diversification strategy can be completed profitably or that the diversification efforts will not adversely affect our combined business, financial condition and results of operations.

Expansion of our production operations abroad is important to ourlong-term success, and our limited experience in the operation of our business outside Korea increases the risk that our international expansion efforts will not be successful.

We conduct international trading and construction operations abroad, and our business relies on a global trading network comprised of overseas subsidiaries, branches and representative offices. Although many of our subsidiaries and overseas branches are located in developed countries, we also

operate in numerous countries with developing economies. In addition, we intend to continue to expand our steel production operations internationally by carefully seeking out promising investment opportunities, particularly in China, India, Southeast Asia and Latin America, in part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market. For example, in December 2013, PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd., a joint venture company in Indonesia in which we hold a 70.0% interest, completed the construction of a steel manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 3.0 million tons of plates and slabs. We may enter into additional joint ventures with foreign steel producers that would enable us to rely on these businesses to conduct our operations, establish local networks and coordinate our sales and marketing efforts abroad. To the extent that we enter into these arrangements, our success will depend in part on the willingness of our partner companies to dedicate sufficient resources to their partnership with us.

In other situations, we may decide to establish manufacturing facilities by ourselves instead of relying on partners. The demand and market acceptance for our products produced abroad are subject to a high level of uncertainty and are substantially dependent upon the market condition of the global steel industry. We cannot assure you that our international expansion plan will be profitable or that we can recoup the costs related to such investments.

Expansion of our trading, construction and production operations abroad requires management attention and resources. In addition, we face additional risks associated with our expansion outside Korea, including:

We have limited insurance coverage and may incur significant losses resulting from operating hazards, product liability claims from customers or business interruptions.

The normal operation of our manufacturing facilities may be interrupted by accidents caused by operating hazards, power supply disruptions and equipment failures, as well as natural disasters. As with other industrial companies, our operations involve the use, handling, generation, processing, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, which may result in fires, explosions, spills and other unexpected or dangerous accidents causing property damage as well as personal injuries or death. We are also exposed to risks associated with product liability claims in the event that the use of the products we sell results in injury. We maintain property insurance for our property, plant and equipment that we believe to be consistent with market practice in Korea. However, we may not have adequate resources to satisfy a judgment in excess of our insurance coverage in the event of a successful claim against us. Any occurrence of accidents or other events affecting our operations could result in potentially significant monetary damages, diversion of resources, production disruption and delay in delivery of our products, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may from time to time engage in acquisitions for which we may be required to seek additional sources of capital.

From time to time, we may selectively acquire or invest in companies or businesses that may complement our business. In order to finance these acquisitions, we intend to use cash on hand, funds from operations, issuances of equity and debt securities, and, if necessary, financings from banks and other sources as well as entering into consortiums with financial investors. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain sufficient financing for such acquisitions or investments on terms commercially acceptable to us or at all. We also cannot assure you that such financings and related debt payment obligations will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

Further increases in, or new impositions of,anti-dumping, safeguard or countervailing duty proceedings may have an adverse impact on our export sales.

In recent years,As a steel producer with global sales and operations, we have become subject to a number of anti-dumping dutiesare involved in trade remedy proceedings in markets worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, India, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Brazil, TaiwanStates. We proactively participate in and Malaysiaplan for such proceedings to minimize any adverse effects and safeguard dutiesassociated risks. While there has been an increase in Thailand. We are also subject to athe number of on-going anti-dumpingtrade cases in recent years, and safeguard investigationsan increased focus on trade issues by government officials, all such cases have been product andmarket-specific, and thus have been limited in Malaysia, the European Union, Indonesia, India and Thailand. In addition, the Mexican government initiated an anti-dumping investigation in October 2012 relatingscope relative to our exportsglobal sales and operations. We continue to carefully monitor developments with respect to trade remedy policy in all markets in which we participate and, where necessary, vigorously defend our rights through litigation before tribunals such as the U.S. Court of cold rolled steel products, and the investigation was suspended until 2018 on condition that we comply with supply undertakings.International Trade. Our products that are subject toanti-dumping, safeguard or countervailing duty proceedings in the aggregate currently do not account for a material portion of our total sales, and such proceedings have not had a material adverse impact on our business and operations in recent years. However, there can be no assurance that increases in, or new impositions of,anti-dumping duties,

safeguard duties, countervailing duties, quotas or tariffs on our exports of products abroad may not have a material adverse impact on our exports in the future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — Item 4.B. Business Overview — Markets — Exports.”

We participate in overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects abroad, which expose us to various risks.

As part of consortia or through acquisitions of minority interests, we engage in overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects in various locations, including a gas field exploration project in Myanmar in whichthrough POSCO Daewoo. POSCO Daewoo International had invested approximately US$ 1,808 million as of December 31, 2014 and plans to make further investments in the future. Daewoo International began recognizing revenue from the Myanmar gas field project starting in November 2013.We2013. We may also selectively acquire or invest in companies or businesses that engage in such activities. As part of our efforts to diversify our operations, we intend to continue toselectively expand our operations by carefully seeking out promising exploration, development and production opportunities abroad. To the extent that we enter into these arrangements, our success in these endeavors will depend in part on the willingness of our partner companies to dedicate sufficient resources to their partnership with us.us, as well as our ability to finance such investments.

The demand and market acceptance for such activities abroad are subject to a substantially higher level of uncertainty than our traditional steel business and are substantially dependent upon the market condition of the global natural resources industry as well as the political and social environment of the target countries. The performance of projects in which we participate may be adversely affected by the occurrence of military hostility, political unrest or acts of terrorism. In addition, some of our current exploration, development and production projects involve drilling exploratory wells on properties with no proven amount of natural resource reserves. Although all drilling, whether developmental or exploratory, involves risks, exploratory drilling involves greater risks of dry holes or failure to find commercial quantities of natural resources. Other risks to which such activities are subject include obtaining required regulatory approvals and licenses, securing and maintaining adequate property rights to land and natural resources, and managing local opposition to project development. A decrease in the market price of raw materials may also adversely impact the value of our investments related to natural resources projects. For example, in connection with our disposition of a minority interest in Nacional Minerios S.A., an iron ore mining company in Brazil in which we had invested in December 2008, we recognized Won 96 billion of impairment loss on assets held for sale in 2015 as well as an additional loss of Won 189 billion from our disposal of such assets in 2015. We have limited experience in this business, and we cannot assure you that our overseas natural resources exploration, development and

production projects will be profitable, that we will be able to meet the financing requirements for such projects, or that we can recoup the costs related to such investments, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may encounter problems with joint overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects andlarge-scale infrastructure projects, which may materially and adversely affect our business.

In recent years, we have begun to focus increasingly on overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects. We typically pursue theseour natural resources exploration, development and production projects jointly with consortium partners or through acquisition of minority interests in such projects, and we expect to be involved in other joint projects in the future. We sometimes hold a majority interest in the projects among the consortium partners, but we often lack a controlling interest in the joint projects. Therefore, we may not be able to require that our joint ventures sell assets or return invested capital, make additional capital contributions or take any other action without the vote of at least a majority of our consortium partners. If there are disagreements between our consortium partners and us regarding the business and operations of the joint projects, we cannot assure you that we will be able to resolve them in a manner that will be in our best interests. Certain major decisions, such as selling a stake in

the joint project, may require the consent of all other partners. These limitations may adversely affect our ability to obtain the economic and other benefits we seek from participating in these projects.

In addition, our consortium partners may:

Any of these and other factors may have a material adverse effect on the performance of our joint projects and expose us to a number of risks, including the risk that the partners may be incapable of providing the required financial support to the partnerships and the risk that the partners may not be able to fulfill their other obligations, resulting in disputes not only between our partners and us, but also between the joint ventures and their customers. Such a material adverse effect on the performance of our joint projects may in turn materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Cyclical fluctuations based on macroeconomic factors may adversely affect POSCO E&C’s business and performance.

In order to complement our steel operations, weWe engage in engineering and construction activities through POSCO E&C, an 89.5%-owned subsidiary.&C. The construction segment, which accounted for approximately 12.5% of our consolidated sales in 2014 after adjusting for inter-company sales and not taking into account the basis difference described in Note 42 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,Construction Segment is highly cyclical and tends to fluctuate based on macroeconomic factors, such as consumer confidence and income, employment levels, interest rates, inflation rates, demographic trends and policies of the Government. Although we believe that POSCO E&C’s strategy of focusing on high-value-added plantFrom time to time, the construction industry has experienced significant and urban planningsometimes prolonged downturns, and development projects such as Songdo New City has enabled it to be exposed to a lesser degree to general economic conditions in Korea in comparison to some of its domestic competitors, our construction revenues have fluctuated in the past depending on the level of public and private sector construction activities in Korea and abroad. In addition, the performance of POSCO E&C’s domestic residential property business is highly dependent on the general condition of the real estate market in Korea. The Government has taken measures to support the Korean construction industry in recent years, including easing of regulations imposed on redevelopment of apartment buildings and resale restrictions in the metropolitan areas, as well as reductions in property taxes. Although the Korean residential real estate market has shown signs of recovery in recent years and the Government expects to moderately increase the level of the domestic public sector’s construction activities in 2017, the demand for construction activities abroad remains weak and the overall prospects for Korean construction companies in 2017 and beyond remain uncertain.

In part due to the weakening of market conditions in the domestic construction activity including new construction orders.industry as well as a decrease in demand for EPC projects in Korea and abroad, the Construction Segment’s external revenue decreased by 20.5%, or Won 1,747 billion, from Won 8,516 billion in 2015 to Won 6,768 billion in 2016. In 2016, POSCO

E&C’s construction operations&C and POSCO Engineering Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of POSCO E&C, also incurred restructuring expenses related to their early retirement programs as well as losses related to some of their EPC projects abroad, which contributed to an increase in loss of the Construction Segment (prior to adjusting forinter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation, good will and corporatefair-value adjustments, income tax expense and basis difference) by 409.2%, or Won 1,128 billion, from Won 276 billion in 2015 to Won 1,404 billion in 2016. Our Construction Segment’s revenues could suffer in the futuredecrease further in the event of a prolonged general downturn in the construction market resulting in weaker demand, which could adversely affect POSCO E&C’sour business, results of operations or financial condition.

Many of POSCO E&C’s domestic and overseas construction projects are on afixed-price basis, which could result in losses for us in the event that unforeseen additional expenses arise with respect to the project.

Many of POSCO E&C’s domestic and overseas construction projects are carried out on afixed-price basis according to a predetermined timetable, pursuant to the terms of afixed-price contract. Under suchfixed-price contracts, POSCO E&C retains all cost savings on completed contracts but is also liable for the full amount of all cost overruns and may be required to pay damages for late delivery. The pricing offixed-price contracts is crucial to POSCO E&C’s profitability, as is its ability to quantify risks to be borne by it and to provide for contingencies in the contract accordingly.

POSCO E&C attempts to anticipate costs of labor, raw materials, parts and components in its bids onfixed-price contracts. However, the costs incurred and gross profits realized on afixed-price contract may vary from its estimates due to factors such as:

If unforeseen additional expenses arise over the course of a construction project, such expenses are usually borne by POSCO E&C, and its profit from the project will be correspondingly reduced or eliminated. For example, we incurred loss of Won 157 billion in 2016 in connection with a delay in the construction ofCSP-Companhia Siderurgia do Pecem steel plant complex in Brazil. If POSCO E&C experiences significant unforeseen additional expenses with respect to its fixed price projects, it may incur losses on such projects, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

POSCO E&C’s domestic residential property business is highly dependent on the real estate market in Korea.

The performance of POSCO E&C’s domestic residential property business is highly dependent on the general condition of the real estate market in Korea. The construction industry in Korea is experiencing a downturn due to excessive investment in recent years in residential property development projects, stagnation of real property prices and reduced demand for residential property, especially in areas outside of Seoul. In addition, as liquidity and credit concerns and volatility in the global financial markets increased significantly starting in September 2008, there has been a general decline in the willingness by banks and other financial institutions in Korea to engage in project financing and other lending activities to construction companies, which may adversely impact POSCO E&C’s ability to meet its desired funding needs. The Government has taken measures to support the Korean construction industry, including easing of regulations imposed on redevelopment of apartment buildings and resale restrictions in the metropolitan areas, as well as reductions in property taxes. Although the Korean real estate market temporarily recovered in the second half of 2009 and into 2010, declines in demand and price took place in the Korean real estate market in recent years due to the downturn of the domestic economic cycle and financial risk in Europe, and the overall prospects for the Korean real estate market in 2015 and beyond remain uncertain.

We are subject to environmental regulations, and our operations could expose us to substantial liabilities.

We are subject to national and local environmental laws and regulations, including increasing pressure to reduce emission of carbon dioxide relating to our manufacturing process, and our steel manufacturing and construction operations could expose us to risk of substantial liability relating to environmental or health and safety issues, such as those resulting from discharge of pollutants and carbon dioxide into the environment, the handling, storage and disposal of solid or hazardous materials or wastes and the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites. We may be responsible for the investigation and remediation of environmental conditions at currently and formerly operated manufacturing or construction sites. For example, we recognized provision expensesprimarily relating to contamination of Won 89 billion in 2014 related to restoration costs of contaminated land near our magnesium smelting plant located in Gangneung, Korea.Korea and gas treatment plant located in our Pohang Works, we had Won 48 billion as provisions for the restoration as of December 31, 2016 (Won 10 billion as current liabilities and Won 38 billion asnon-current liabilities), which represent the present value of estimated costs for recovery outstanding as of such date. We may also be subject to associated liabilities, including liabilities for natural resource damage, third party property damage or personal injury resulting from lawsuits brought by the Government or private litigants. In the course of our operations, hazardous wastes may be generated at thirdparty-owned or operated sites, and hazardous wastes may be disposed of or treated at thirdparty-owned or operated disposal sites. If those sites become contaminated, we could also be held responsible for the cost of investigation and remediation of such sites, for any associated natural resource damage, and for civil or criminal fines or penalties.

Failure to protect our intellectual property rights could impair our competitiveness and harm our business and future prospects.

We believe that developing new steel manufacturing technologies that can be differentiated from those of our competitors, such as FINEX, strip casting and silicon steel manufacturing technologies, is critical to the success of our business. We take active measures to obtain protection of our intellectual property by obtaining patents and undertaking monitoring activities in our major markets. However, we cannot assure you that the measures we are taking will effectively deter competitors from improper use of our proprietary technologies. Our competitors may misappropriate our intellectual property, disputes as to ownership of intellectual property may arise and our intellectual property may otherwise become known or independently developed by our competitors. Any failure to protect our intellectual property could impair our competitiveness and harm our business and future prospects.

We rely on trade secrets and other unpatented proprietaryknow-how to maintain our competitive position, and unauthorized disclosure of our trade secrets or other unpatented proprietaryknow-how could negatively affect our business.

We rely on trade secrets and unpatented proprietaryknow-how and information. We enter into confidentiality agreements with each of our employees and consultants upon the commencement of an employment or consulting relationship. These agreements generally provide that all inventions, ideas, discoveries, improvements and patentable material made or conceived by the individual arising out of the employment or consulting relationship and all confidential information developed or made known to the individual during the term of the relationship is our exclusive property. We cannot assure the enforceability of these types of agreements, or that they will not be breached. We also cannot be certain that we will have adequate remedies for any breach. The disclosure of our trade secrets or otherknow-how as a result of such a breach could adversely affect our business.

We face the risk of litigation proceedings relating to infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties, which, if determined adversely to us, could cause us to lose significant rights, pay significant damage awards or suspend the sale of certain products.

Our success depends largely on our ability to develop and use our technology andknow-how in a proprietary manner without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. The validity and

scope of claims relating to technology and patents involve complex scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis and, therefore, may be highly uncertain. In addition, because patent applications in many jurisdictions are kept confidential for an extended period before they are published, we may be unaware of other persons’ pending patent applications that relate to our products or manufacturing processes. Accordingly, we face the risk of litigation proceedings relating to infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties. See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal Proceedings.”

The plaintiffs in actions relating to infringement of intellectual property rights typically seek injunctions and substantial damages. Although patent and other intellectual property disputes are often settled through licensing or similar arrangements, there can be no assurance that such licenses can be obtained on acceptable terms or at all. Accordingly, regardless of the scope or validity of disputed patents or the merits of any patent infringement claims by potential or actual litigants, we may have to engage in protracted litigation. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property suits, patent opposition proceedings and related legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time consuming and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of our technical and management personnel. An adverse determination in any such litigation or proceedings could subject us to pay substantial damages to third parties, require us to seek licenses from third parties and pay ongoing royalties or redesign certain products, or subject us to injunctions prohibiting the manufacture and sale of our products or the use of technologies in certain jurisdictions. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be exposed to potential claims for unpaid wages and become subject to additional labor costs arising from the Supreme Court of Korea’s interpretation of ordinary wages.

Under the Labor Standards Act, an employee is legally entitled to “ordinary wages.” Under the guidelines previously issued by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (formerly the Ministry of Labor), ordinary wages include base salary and certain fixed monthly allowances for overtime work performed during night shifts and holidays. Prior to the Supreme Court of Korea’s decision described below, we and other companies in Korea had interpreted these guidelines as excluding fixed bonuses that are paid other than on a monthly basis (such asbi-monthly, quarterly or biannually paid bonuses) from the scope of ordinary wages.

On December 18, 2013, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that regularly paid bonuses, including those that are paid other than on a monthly basis, shall be deemed ordinary wages if these bonuses are paid “regularly” and “uniformly” on a “fixed basis” notwithstanding differential amounts based on seniority. The Supreme Court of Korea ruled that if regular bonus payments are limited to only those working for the employer on a specific date, such bonuses are not fixed and thus do not constitute part of ordinary wage. In addition, under this decision, any collective bargaining agreement orlabor-management agreement that attempts to exclude such regular bonuses from ordinary wage will be deemed void for violation of the mandatory provisions of Korean law. However, the Supreme Court of Korea further ruled that an employee’s claim for underpayments under the expanded scope of ordinary wages for the past three years within the statute of limitations may be denied based on principles of good faith if (i) there is an agreement between the employer and employees that the regular bonus shall be excluded from ordinary wage in determining the total amount of wage, (ii) such claim results in further wage payments that far exceed the level of total amount of wage agreed between the employer and employees, and (iii) such claim would cause an unexpected financial burden to the employer leading to material managerial difficulty or a threat to the employer’s existence. The principles of good faith, however, do not apply to an agreement on wages entered into between the employer and employees after December 18, 2013, the date of the above decision of the Supreme Court of Korea.

In light of the Supreme Court of Korea’s decision above, the Ministry of Employment and Labor published its new guidelines (the “Guidelines”) on January 23, 2014. According to the Guidelines, the

Government excludes, from ordinary wage, regular bonuses contingent on employment on a specific date. Based on the Supreme Court of Korea’s decision and the Guidelines, we believe that regular bonuses that we have paid to our employees are likely to be excluded from ordinary wage since we have paid regular bonuses to only those working for us on the initial date of payment calculation, the 15th day of each month. However, the Supreme Court decision may result in additional labor costs to us in the form of additional payments under the expanded scope of ordinary wages applicable in the past three years as well as to be incurred in the future, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Political and societal unrest surrounding the impeachment of President ParkGeun-hye could adversely affect the Korean economy.

In November 2016, the Korean prosecutor’s office indicted a confidant of President ParkGeun-hye who had allegedly used her ties with the President to extort donations from Korean business groups for two nonprofit foundations over which she is purported to have substantial influence, as well as a number of current and former presidential aides, on charges of, among others, abuse of power, coercion and leaking classified documents. On November 30, 2016, a special independent prosecutor was appointed to conduct an investigation of the extent of the President’s involvement, and mass weekend rallies have been held in Seoul and other cities both to protest against, and to express support for, President Park.

On December 9, 2016, the National Assembly voted in favor of impeaching President Park for a number of alleged constitutional and criminal violations, including violation of the Constitution and

abuse of power by allowing her confidant to exert influence on state affairs and allowing senior presidential aides to aid in her extortion from companies. President Park was suspended from power immediately, with the prime minister simultaneously taking over the role of acting President. On March 10, 2017, the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the parliamentary vote to impeach President Park, triggering her immediate dismissal. A special election to elect a new President is scheduled to be held on May 9, 2017. In connection with its investigation of former President Park, the special independent prosecutor also conducted related investigations of several large Korean business groups and members of their senior management for bribery, embezzlement and other possible misconduct, which the Korean prosecutor’s office has continued following the end of the special independent prosecutor’s term. There is no assurance that such events will not have a material adverse effect on the Korean economy.

Escalations in tensions with North Korea could have an adverse effect on us and the market value of our common shares and ADSs.

Relations between Korea and North Korea have been tense throughout Korea’s modern history. The level of tension between the two Koreas has fluctuated and may increase abruptly as a result of future events. In particular, since the death of KimJong-il in December 2011, there has been increased uncertainty with respect to the future of North Korea’s political leadership and concern regarding its implications for political and economic stability in the region. Although KimJong-il’s third son, KimJong-eun, has assumed power as his father’s designated successor, thelong-term outcome of such leadership transition remains uncertain.

In addition, there have been heightened security concerns in recent years stemming from North Korea’s nuclear weapon andlong-range missile programs as well as its hostile military actions against Korea. Some of the significant incidents in recent years include the following:

demilitarized zone. In retaliation, the North Korean army fired artillery rounds on the loudspeakers, resulting in the highest level of military readiness for both Koreas.High-ranking officials from North Korea and Korea subsequently met for discussions and entered into an agreement on August 25, 2015 intending to defuse military tensions.

North Korea’s economy also faces severe challenges that may aggravate social and political pressures within North Korea. There can be no assurance that the level of tensions affecting the

Korean peninsula will not escalate in the future. Any further increase in tensions, which may occur, for example, if North Korea experiences a leadership crisis,high-level contacts between Korea and North Korea break down or military hostilities occur, could have a material adverse effect on the Korean economy and on our business, results of operations and financial condition and the market valueresults of our common shares and ADSs.operations.

If you surrender your ADRs to withdraw shares of our common stock, you may not be allowed to deposit the shares again to obtain ADRs.

Under the deposit agreement, holders of shares of our common stock may deposit those shares with the ADR depositary’s custodian in Korea and obtain ADRs, and holders of ADRs may surrender ADRs to the ADR depositary and receive shares of our common stock. However, under current Korean laws and regulations, the depositary bank is required to obtain our prior consent for the number of shares to be deposited in any given proposed deposit that exceeds the difference between (i) the aggregate number of shares deposited by us for the issuance of ADSs (including deposits in connection with the initial and all subsequent offerings of ADSs and stock dividends or other distributions related to these ADSs) and (ii) the number of shares on deposit with the depositary bank at the time of such proposed deposit. It is possible that we may not give the consent. As a result, if you surrender ADRs and withdraw shares of common stock, you may not be able to deposit the shares again to obtain ADRs. See “Item 10. Additional Information — Item 10.D. Exchange Controls.”

You may not be able to exercise preemptive rights for additional shares of common stock and may suffer dilution of your equity interest in us.

The Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation require us, with some exceptions, to offer shareholders the right to subscribe for new shares in proportion to their existing ownership percentage whenever new shares are issued. If we issue new shares to persons other than our shareholders (See “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association — Preemptive Rights and Issuance of Additional Shares”), a holder of our ADSs will experience dilution of such holding. If none of these exceptions is available, we will be required to grant preemptive rights when issuing additional common shares under Korean law. Under the deposit agreement governing the ADSs, if we offer any rights to subscribe for additional shares of our common stock or any rights of any other nature, the ADR depositary, after consultation with us, may make the rights available to you or use reasonable efforts to dispose of the rights on your behalf and make the net proceeds available to you. The ADR depositary, however, is not required to make available to you any rights to purchase any additional shares unless it deems that doing so is lawful and feasible and:

We are under no obligation to file any registration statement under the Securities Act to enable you to exercise preemptive rights in respect of the common shares underlying the ADSs, and we cannot assure you that any registration statement would be filed or that an exemption from the registration requirement under the Securities Act would be available. Accordingly, if a registration statement is required for you to exercise preemptive rights but is not filed by us, you will not be able to exercise your preemptive rights for additional shares and may suffer dilution of your equity interest in us.

U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing civil liabilities against us and our directors and senior management.

We are incorporated in Korea with our principal executive offices located in Seoul. The majority of our directors and senior management are residents of jurisdictions outside the United States, and

the majority of our assets and the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, U.S. investors may find it difficult to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons or to enforce outside the United States judgments obtained against us or such persons in U.S. courts, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may also be difficult for an investor to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against us or such persons in courts in jurisdictions outside the United States, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may also be difficult for a U.S. investor to bring an action in a Korean court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against our directors and senior management andnon-U.S. experts named in this annual report.

We could be adversely affected if the U.S. government were to determine that our affiliate’s Iran-related business activities are sanctionable under the U.S. Iranian sanction laws and regulations.

We acquired a controlling interest in Sungjin Geotec Co., Ltd. (“Sungjin Geotec”), a manufacturer of specialized equipment used in the power and energy industries in May 2010. Sungjin Geotec merged with POSCO Plantec Co., Ltd. (“POSCO Plantec”) in July 2013, and we currently hold a 73.9% interest in POSCO Plantec. Prior to the merger, Sungjin Geotec entered into contracts with various suppliers to supply equipment for the development of natural gas fields in Iran, including natural gas fields located in South Pars that is led by Pars Oil and Gas Company, a subsidiary of National Iranian Oil Company. Sungjin Geotec recognized revenues of approximately Won 27 billion in 2010, Won 240 billion in 2011 and Won 134 billion in 2012, and net profits of approximately Won 1 billion in 2010, Won 15 billion in 2011 and Won 25 billion in 2012 related to such activities. Sungjin Geotec has completed or terminated all of its remaining outstanding supply contracts to sell equipment for the development of natural gas fields in Iran, and neither Sungjin Geotec nor POSCO Plantec (subsequent to the merger with Sungjin Geotec in July 2013) recognized any revenues nor profits from such activities in 2013 and 2014. POSCO Plantec does not plan to engage in any sale of equipment in Iran related to the country’s development of petroleum resources.

In July 2010, the United States adopted legislation that expands U.S. economic sanctions against foreign companies doing business with Iran in certain sectors. The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (the “CISADA”) expands the scope of sanctionable activities by, among other things, broadening the definition of “investment” under the Iran Sanctions Act (the “ISA”) arguably to include the supply of goods for use in petroleum and gas production. The CISADA also expands the severity of potential sanctions available under the ISA and imposes mandatory investigation and reporting requirements designed to increase the likelihood of enforcement. The CISADA requires the imposition of sanctions against parties found by the U.S. administration, following an investigation, to have engaged in conduct sanctionable under the ISA, subject to certain waiver provisions and exceptions.

Under the ISA, as amended, sanctions can also be imposed against a company that has actual knowledge of, or should have known of, sanctionable conduct engaged in by another company that it owns or controls. A range of sanctions may be imposed on companies that engage in sanctionable activities, including among other things the blocking of any property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which the sanctioned company has an interest, which could include a prohibition on transactions or dealings involving securities of the sanctioned company. By its terms, the CISADA is applicable to certain investments in Iran that commenced on or after July 1, 2010.

There can be no assurance that Sungjin Geotec’s Iran-related business activities did not constitute sanctionable activities or that we will not be subjected to sanctions under the ISA as amended by the CISADA. Our business and reputation could be adversely affected if the U.S. government were to determine that Sungjin Geotec’s Iran-related business activities constituted sanctionable activity attributable to us. Investors in our securities may also be adversely affected if we

are sanctioned under the CISADA or if their investment in our securities is restricted under any sanctions regimes with which the investors are required to comply. As noted above, sanctions under the ISA could include the blocking of any property in which we have an interest, which would effectively prohibit all U.S. persons from receiving any payments from us, or otherwise acquiring, holding, withholding, using, transferring, withdrawing, transporting, importing, or exporting any property in which we have any interest.

We expect to continue operations and investments relating to countries targeted by United States and European Union economic sanctions.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or “OFAC,” enforces certain laws and regulations (“OFAC Sanctions”) that impose restrictions upon U.S. persons and, in some instances, foreign entities owned or controlled by U.S. persons, with respect to activities or transactions with certain countries, governments, entities and individuals that are the subject of OFAC Sanctions (“U.S. Sanctions Targets”). U.S. persons are also generally strictly prohibited from facilitating such activities or transactions. Similarly, the European Union enforces certain laws and regulations (“E.U. Sanctions”) that impose restrictions upon nationals of E.U. member states, persons located within E.U. member states, entities incorporated or constituted under the law of an E.U. member state, or business conducted in whole or in part in E.U. member states with respect to activities or transactions with certain countries, governments, entities and individuals that are the subject of E.U. Sanctions (“E.U. Sanctions Targets” and together with U.S. Sanctions Targets, “Sanctions Targets”). E.U. persons are also generally prohibited from activities that promote such activities or transactions.

We engage in limited business activities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets, including Cuba, Iran Syria and Sudan. We produce and export, typically through our sales subsidiaries, steel products to such countries, including automotive steel sheets and other steel materials to Iranian entities. Our subsidiaries also engage in limited business activities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets. In particular, POSCO Daewoo International, a global trading company in which we hold a 60.3% interest, engages in the trading of steel, raw materials and other items with entities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets, including Iran and Sudan. We believe that such activities and investments do not involve any U.S. goods or services. Our activities and investments in Cuba, Iran Syria and Sudan accounted for approximately 1.4%0.2% of our consolidated revenues in 2012, 0.2%2014, 0.7% in 20132015 and 0.1%0.6% in 2014.2016.

We expect to continue to engage in business activities and make investments in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets over the foreseeable future. Although we believe that OFAC Sanctions

under their current terms are not applicable to our current activities, our reputation may be adversely affected, some of our U.S. investors may be required to divest their investments in us under the laws of certain U.S. states or under internal investment policies or may decide for reputational reasons to divest such investments. We are aware of initiatives by U.S. governmental entities and U.S. institutional investors, such as pension funds, to adopt or consider adopting laws, regulations or policies prohibiting transactions with or investment in, or requiring divestment from, entities doing business with countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism. We cannot assure you that the foregoing will not occur or that such occurrence will not have a material adverse effect on the value of our securities.

This annual report contains “forward-looking“forward-looking statements” that are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

This annual report contains “forward-looking“forward-looking statements” that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our company and our industry. Theforward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Generally, theseforward-looking statements can be identified by the use offorward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “should,” and similar expressions. Those statements include, among other things, the discussions of our business strategy and expectations

concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources. We caution you that reliance on anyforward-looking statement involves risks and uncertainties, and that although we believe that the assumptions on which ourforward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and, as a result, theforward-looking statements based on those assumptions could be incorrect. The uncertainties in this regard include, but are not limited to, those identified in the risk factors discussed above. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not conclude that we will necessarily achieve any plans and objectives or projected financial results referred to in any of theforward-looking statements. We do not undertake to release the results of any revisions of theseforward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Item 4.  Information on the Company

Item 4.A.Item 4.A.  History and Development of the Company

We were established by the Government on April 1, 1968, under the Commercial Code, to manufacture and distribute steel rolled products and plates in the domestic and overseas markets. The Government owned more than 70% of our equity until 1988, when the Government reduced its ownership of our common stock to 35% through a public offering and listing our shares on the KRX KOSPI Market. In December 1998, the Government sold all of our common stock it owned directly, and The Korea Development Bank completed the sale of our shares that it owned in September 2000. The Government no longer holds any direct interest in us, and our outstanding common stock is currently held by individuals and institutions. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Item 7A. Major Stockholders.”

Our legal and commercial name is POSCO. Our principal executive offices are located at POSCO Center, 440Teheran-ro,Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea 135-777,06194, and our telephone number is (822)3457-0114.

Item 4.B.  BusinessOverview

The Company

We are the largest fully integrated steel producer in Korea, and one of the largest steel producers in the world, based on annual crude steel production. We produced approximately 37.7

42.2 million tons of crude steel in 20142016 and approximately 38.342.0 million tons in 2013,2015, a substantial portion of which was produced at Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works. As of December 31, 2014, Pohang Works2016, we had 17.4approximately 47.6 million tons of annual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity, including 17.6 million tons of production capacity Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works had an annual crude steel24.8 million tons of production capacity of 20.8 million tons.Gwangyang Works. We believe Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works are two of the most technologically advanced integrated steel facilities in the world. We manufacture and sell a diversified line of steel products, including cold rolled and hot rolled products, stainless steel products, plates, wire rods and silicon steel sheets, and we are able to meet a broad range of customer needs from manufacturing industries that consume steel, including automotive, shipbuilding, home appliance, engineering and machinery industries.

We sell primarily to the Korean market. Domestic sales accounted for 44.6%39.4% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 20142016 and 48.8%40.3% in 2013.2015. On anon-consolidated basis, we believe that we had an overall market share of approximately 41% of the total sales volume of steel products sold in Korea in 2014 and approximately 43%2016 as well as in 2013.2015. Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad accounted for 55.4%60.6% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 20142016 and 51.2%59.7% in 2013.2015. Our major export market is Asia, with China accounting for 29.0%, Asia other than China and Japan accounting for 28.3%, China accounting for 26.6%23.9%, and Japan accounting for 11.7%10.4% of our total steel export revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 20142016 and China accounting for 30.2%, Asia other than China and Japan accounting for 27.7%28.2%, China accounting for 25.3% and Japan accounting for 12.5%9.5% of our total steel export revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2013.2015.

We also engage in businesses that complement our steel manufacturing operations as well as carefully seek out promising investment opportunities to diversify our businesses both vertically and horizontally, in part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market. POSCO E&C our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold an 89.5% interest, is one of the leading engineering and construction companies in Korea that primarily engages in the planning, design and construction of industrial plants and architectural works and civil engineering. POSCO Daewoo International, our consolidated subsidiary in which we hold a 60.3% interest, is a global trading company that primarily engages in trading of steel and raw materials as well as investing in energy and mineral development projects throughout the world. POSCO Energy Corporation our wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary in which we hold an 89.0% interest, is the largest private power generation company in Korea.

We generated revenue of Won 64,75958,522 billion and loss of Won 116 billion in 2015, compared to revenue of Won 52,940 billion and profit of Won 5641,032 billion in 2014, compared to revenue of Won 61,766 billion and profit of Won 1,349 billion in 2013.2016. We had total assets of Won 85,84480,748 billion and total equity of Won 45,25745,013 billion as of December 31, 2014,2015, compared to total assets of Won 84,84180,138 billion and total equity of Won 45,78145,765 billion as of December 31, 2013.2016.

Business Strategy

Leveraging on our success duringover the past fourfive decades, our goal is to strengthen our position as one of the leading steel producers in the world through focusing on core technologies, further solidifying our market leading position in Korea, and pursuing operational efficiencies to increase our margins in markets abroad. In order to compete effectively in the dynamic global market environment driven by emerging economies and increasing demand for more environmentally friendly products, we are committed to leveraging our competitive advantages andthat enable us to further enhancingenhance our leadership positions. We believe that our proprietary technologies and expertisepositions in developing environmentally-friendlythe global steel production facilities, ability to independently construct such facilities, and know-how in their efficient operation and management enables us to develop differentiatedindustry as well as selectively pursue growth opportunities outside of the steel products at a highly competitive cost structure. We also plan to selectively explore opportunities in growth industries that are integral to our overall business model, and we have identified steel, comprehensive materials, energy and new businesses as our key areas of focus.industry.

We seek to strengthen our competitiveness and pursue growth through the following corefour business strategies:

Seek Opportunities to Further Strengthen Our Position in Global Markets as well as Selectively Expand Our Production Infrastructure Abroad

We plan to pursue higher margin businesses in various key markets abroad as well as further strengthen our competitiveness in new markets that we have entered in recent years. In China, which is showing signs of slowdown in economic growth and oversupply of steel products, we plan to focus on higher-margin products and pursue strategic entry or exit of various segments and regions. In Southeast Asia, we plan to pursue stabilization of our production operations in Indonesia as well as focus on increasing our market share of key products in Thailand, particularly for the automotive industry. We also plan to pursue differentiated strategies in each of our other key regions.

Drawing on our expertise in steel production, we also plan to carefully seek out promising business opportunities abroad to expand our production infrastructure. We seek out promising investment opportunities abroad, primarily in India and Southeast Asia. We believe that India and Southeast Asia continue to offer substantial growth opportunities, and we plan to selectively seek investment opportunities to construct steel production facilities.

Maintain Technology Leadership in Steel Manufacturing and Focus on Premium Products

As part of our strategy, we have identified core premium products that we plan to further develop, such as premium automotive steel sheets, silicon steel and API-gradeAPI grade steel, and we will

continue to invest in developing innovative products, such as steel products with high formability or ultra-high strength, that address the evolving needs of our sophisticated customers for their next generation of products and offer the greatest potential returns and enhance the overall quality

of our products.returns. In order to increase our competitiveness and the proportion of our sales of higher margin, higher value-addedvalue added products, we plan to make additional investments in the development of newinnovative manufacturing and engineering technologies and upgrade our facilities in Korea and abroad through continued modernization and rationalization. We believe that our proprietary technologies and expertise in developingbest-in-class steel production facilities, ability to independently and cost-effectively construct such facilities, and know how in their efficient operation and management enable us to develop premium products at a highly competitive cost structure.

We believe that innovation is a key element of our culture and critical to our success. We will continue our research and development efforts on developing even more environmentally friendly technologies that align with our customers’ changing needs and desires as well as addressing emerging technological trends. For example, we will continue to refine FINEX, a low cost, environmentally friendly steel manufacturing process that optimizes our production capacity by utilizing non-agglomeratedlow grade iron ore fines and using non-coking coal as an energy source and a reducing agent. We believe that FINEX offers considerable environmental and economic advantages through elimination of major sources of pollution such as sintering and coking plants,facilities that pretreat raw materials, as well as reducing operating and raw material costs.

Improve Profitability of OurNon-Steel Business

We have selectively explored opportunities during the past decade in growth industries that complement our core steel operations and are integral to our overall business strategy, and we have identified trading, infrastructure construction, energy and comprehensive materials as our key areas of focus. In recent years, we have developed proprietary manufacturing technology using a compact endless cast rolling millpursued strategic cost cutting measures through restructuring of our subsidiaries, and management discipline has strengthened and will continue to strengthen our corporate competitiveness in ournon-steel business areas. We also plan to bolster the competitiveness of these businesses by developing core capabilities that combines the FINEX process with an advanced basic oxygen steelmaking process that uses more scrap in place of pig iron, which enablesenable us to manufactureoffer innovative products atand services that address our evolving customers’ needs as follows:

Diversify intoPursue Future Growth in Production of Comprehensive Materials and Offer Integrated Energy Solutions

We plan to leverage our expertise in production of various steel-appliedsteel applied materials and venture into the fast-growingfast growing and high value-addedvalue added business of producing environmentally friendly comprehensive materials. We have identified lithium and nickel as our main investment areas.DemandIn particular, demand for lithium, which is used as an anode material in lithium ion batteries has been increasing in recent years, and we have identified lithium, along with nickel, magnesium and titanium, as our main investment areas. We have developed proprietary technology to extract lithium from its brine in approximately one month compared to twelve months through conventional production processes. We believeLeveraging on such technology, we are also ablecompleted the construction of a lithium production plant in Gwangyang Works in February 2017 with an annual production capacity of approximately 2,500 tons of lithium. Subject to leveragemarket conditions, we plan to further expand our expertiseproduction capacity of lithium and nickel in productionthe near future, as well as invest in the development of crudelight-weight materials such as magnesium steel to cost-effective production of carbonused inhigh-end automobiles and magnesium, which have wide application of industrial use.titanium materials for the aviation industry.

Further Develop Our Capabilities to become an Integrated Provider of Energy Solutions

We also plan to pursue strategic synergies with our member companies of the POSCO Groupinvestments to further strengthen our capabilities in the energy industry. POSCO Energy Corporation is the largest private power generation company in Korea. POSCO E&C is one of the leading engineering and construction companies in Korea with expertise in the design and construction of power plants. Daewoo International engages in various natural resources procurement and energy development projects around the world. In order to secure adequate procurement of principal raw materials, we have also invested in and will continue to explore additional investment opportunities in various raw material development projects abroad, as well as enter into long-term contracts with leading suppliers of iron ore, coal and nickel, principally in Australia and Brazil. We believe that the energy industry is a sustainable business area that offers us attractive opportunities. We will continue to seek opportunities in natural resources development and further expand ourLeveraging on itsknow-how as the largest private power generation company in Korea, POSCO Energy plans to expand its network of gas storage tanks in Northeast Asia and alternative energy solutions businesses,engage in LNG trading activities, as well as pursue participationexpand its independent power producing (“IPP”) business with other member companies of the POSCO Group in additionalstrategic Southeast Asian countries where POSCO already has a presence. Leveraging the expertise of various member companies of the POSCO Group, we cover all aspects of the IPP business, including project planning, power plant projects abroad.construction as well as operational and maintenance services. In addition, POSCO Energy plans to invest in the renewable energy business, including commercialization of micro grids for limited geographic locations as well as development of solar power-enabled infrastructure.

Integrate Information and Communications Technology to Pursue Cost-Cutting through Operational and Process Innovations and Create Additional Value

We seek to achieve cost reductions in this era of increasing raw material costs through our company wide process for innovation and enhancing efficiency of operations. We believe that strategic cost cutting measures through utilization of efficient production methods and management discipline will strengthen our corporate competitiveness. We will also strive to invest more in human resources development to nurture employees who are capable of working in the global environment.

Selectively Seek Opportunities in Growth Industries

We will continue to selectively seek opportunities in growth industries to diversify our business both vertically and horizontally. Through POSCO ICT Co., Ltd., a 65.4%-owned subsidiary, we engage in information and technology consulting services as well as automationcreate additional value through integration of information and system integration engineering services. POSCO E&C is onecommunications technology in various aspects of the leading engineeringour operations as follows:

Major Products

We manufacture and sell a broad line of steel products, including the following:

The table below sets out our revenue of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, which are recognized as external revenue of the Steel Segment, by major steel product categories for the periods indicated. Such amounts do not include steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated subsidiaries.

The table below sets out our sales volume of the principal categories of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, which are recognized as external sales volume of the Steel Segment, by major steel product categories for the periods indicated. Such amounts do not include steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated subsidiaries.

In addition to steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we engage our consolidated sales subsidiaries (including Daewoo International)POSCO Daewoo) to sell our steel products produced by us. Our revenue from steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated sales subsidiaries that in turn sold them to their external customers amounted to Won 10,344 billion in 2012, Won 8,391 billion in 2013 and Won 9,176 billion in 2014.2014, Won 8,365 billion in 2015 and Won 6,403 billion in 2016. Sales of such steel products by our consolidated sales subsidiaries to external customers are recognized as external revenue of the Trading Segment.

Cold Rolled Products

Cold rolled coils and further refined galvanized cold rolled products are used mainly in the automotive industry to produce car body panels. Other users include the household goods, electrical appliances, engineering and metal goods industries.

Our deliveries of cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 11.912.7 million tons in 2014,2016, representing 39.1%38.7% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

Cold rolled products constitute our largest product category in terms of sales volume and revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. In 2014,2016, our sales volume of cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers remained relatively unchangedincreased by 6.0% compared to our sales volume in 2013.2015 primarily due to an increase in sales of cold rolled products manufactured and sold by POSCO Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Including sales of cold rolled products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for cold rolled products of approximately 42%39% on anon-consolidated basis. basis in 2016.

Hot Rolled Products

Hot rolled coils and sheets have many different industrial applications. They are used to manufacture structural steel used in the construction of buildings, industrial pipes and tanks, and automobile chassis. Hot rolled coil is also manufactured in a wide range of widths and thickness as the feedstock for highervalue-added products such as cold rolled products and silicon steel sheets.

Our deliveries of hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 7.88.6 million tons in 2014,2016, representing 25.6%26.2% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The largest customers of our hot rolled products are downstream steelmakers in Korea which use the products to manufacture pipes and cold rolled products.

Hot rolled products constitute our second largest product category in terms of sales volume and third largest product category in terms of revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. In 2014,2016, our sales volume of hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 2.6%1.1% compared to 2013our sales volume in 2015, primarily due to the commencementcompletion of rationalization of certain hot rolled product manufacturing facilities, which in turn led to increases in production by our no. 4 hot rolling mill at Gwangyang Works in July 2014.and sales volume.

Including sales of hot rolled products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for hot rolled products of approximately 38%39% on anon-consolidated basis. basis in 2016.

Stainless Steel Products

Stainless steel products are used to manufacture household goods and are also used by the chemical industry, paper mills, the aviation industry, the automotive industry, the construction industry and the food processing industry.

Our deliveries of stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 2.73.0 million tons in 2014,2016, representing 8.7%9.2% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

Stainless steel products constitute our second largest product category in terms of revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. Although sales of stainless steel products accounted for only 8.7%9.2% of total sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers in 2014,2016, they represented 21.5%22.6% of our total revenue from such steel products in 2014. Our2016. In 2016, our sales volume of stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreasedincreased by 8.1% in 20149.8% compared to 2013 dueour sales volume in 2015 primarily reflecting increased demand resulting from our efforts to focus more on marketing of higher margin, highervalue-added products, which was in part met by an increase in our production capacity of stainless steel products, as well as a decrease in the rationalizationglobal inventory of a stainless cold-rolling mill at Pohang Workssteel products resulting from the Chinese government’s restriction of steel production in 2014.China. Production efficiency enhancements to our electric furnaces used in the production of stainless steel products also contributed to increases in production and sales volume.

Including sales of stainless steel products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for stainless steel products of approximately 38%43% on anon-consolidated basis. basis in 2016.

Plates

Plates are used in shipbuilding, structural steelwork, offshore oil and gas production, power generation, mining, and the manufacture ofearth-moving and mechanical handling equipment, boiler and pressure vessels and other industrial machinery.

Our deliveries of plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 4.64.7 million tons in 2014,2016, representing 15.3%14.4% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The Korean shipbuilding industry, which uses plates to manufacture chemical tankers, rigs, bulk carriers and containers, and the construction industry are our largest customers of plates.

In 2014,2016, our sales volume of plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 20.5%3.5% compared to 2013our sales volume in 2015 primarily due to an increase in sales to domestic shipbuilding companies in the oil and an increasegas industry and other industrial companies, which was offset in part by a decrease in demand from the energyshipbuilding industry.

Including sales of plates produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for plates of approximately 37%38% on anon-consolidated basis. basis in 2016.

Wire Rods

Wire rods are used mainly by manufacturers of wire, fasteners, nails, bolts, nuts and welding rods. Wire rods are also used in the manufacture of coil springs, tension bars and tire cords in the automotive industry.

Our deliveries of wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 2.42.7 million tons in 2014,2016, representing 7.9%8.3% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The largest customers for our wire rods are manufacturers of wire ropes and fasteners.

In 2014,2016, our sales volume of wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 38.3%2.6% compared to 2013, primarily reflecting increase in production of wire rods from full-scale operation of the no. 4 wire rod mill in 2014, which expansion was completed in May 2013.2015.

Including sales of wire rods produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we had a domestic market share for wire rods of approximately 52%54% on anon-consolidated basis. basis in 2016.

Silicon Steel Sheets

Silicon steel sheets are used mainly in the manufacture of power transformers and generators and rotating machines.

Our deliveries of silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 1.0 million tons in 2014,2016, representing 3.4%3.1% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

In 2014,2016, our sales volume of silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreasedincreased by 8.5%0.2% compared to 2013 due to our decision to focus more on production and sale of higher margin silicon steel sheet products.2015.