Home > About Dongbu > History Dongbu's Remarkable Growth Dongbu Group started in 1969, when Miryung Construction Co., Ltd. was founded by Chairman Junki Kim with a paid-in capital of only US$25,000 and two employees including himself. In the early 1970's, the company pioneered into the Middle East construction market and garnered tremendous successes there. This provided material resources to implement his strategic plans for diversification of business in the 1980's, which laid down a solid foundation for Dongbu Group today. Without resorting to government's favors or special low interest foreign loans, Dongbu invested the capital it accumulated overseas into Korea's core industries, notably steel, fertilizer, construction, logistics and finance. Most of the subsidiaries were newly established after acquiring licenses and permits from the government. Dongbu cut a dramatic growth path going up from downstream to upstream businesses. It also set outstanding examples of revitalizing faltering companies to excellent ones through massive capital injections and effective management. Established three to four decades later than the other Korean front running groups , Dongbu Group became one of the top 20 Korean conglomerates in 1990 and one of the top 10 in 2000. All the Dongbu companies in the Seven Business Areas, commanding a top-tier presence in the industries they serve, are making daring thrusts for global leadership in the 2010's.