 Poongsan Was The Largest Donor To The Harkin Institute Of Public Policy. “Poongsan is the largest donor to the Harkin Institute of Public Policy, which was rushed through the state Board of Regents in April 2011 amid political controversy. Last week, TheIowaRepublican.com asked PMX Industries a series of questions about the donations. PMX Vice President Jim Richardson declined to respond to our email or phone inquiries.” [The Iowa Republican, 12/19/12] 1990: Former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin Included Policy Earmark Forcing The Department Of Commerce To Create A Foreign Trade Zone In Cedar Rapids, Allowing PMX Industries To Take Advantage Of Import Duty Breaks Included Therein. “Harkin has been a staunch supporter of Poongsan since 1990. The company’s South Korean CEO has handsomely rewarded Iowa’s junior senator by providing $500,000 of the $1.6 million that the Harkin Institute has raised to date. In fact, Poongsan owes its U.S. operations to Harkin’s political patronage. In 1990, Harkin muscled through a last-minute package of benefits for the Korean firm despite firm opposition in the Senate. Harkin’s policy earmark forced the U.S. Department of Commerce to create a foreign trade zone in Cedar Rapids by Feb. 1, 1991. PMX Industries then altered its plans for a brass and steel plant in the city to take advantage of import duty breaks won through Harkin’s ‘unprecedented political maneuver,’ according to a 1990 article in American Metals Market, a trade publication. ‘The last-minute political tactic enraged domestic industry sources, who claimed it would afford the new Cedar Rapids facility the special import benefits of a foreign trade zone (FTZ) without requiring the company to meet established legal requirements,’ according to AMM. ‘‘We think it’s an outrageous situation,’ one domestic steel industry source said.’” [The Iowa Republican, 12/21/12] 2006: Tom Harkin Secured $2 Million Earmark For PMX Industries In The FY 2007 Defense Appropriations Bill. “Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that he has secured funding for Iowa in the Senate FY 2007 Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations bill. Funding is expected to be approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this Thursday for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, Rock Island Arsenal, the Midwest Regional Counterdrug Training Center, John Deere, and a variety of other Iowa businesses, colleges, and communities. The bill must pass the Senate and the House before it is sent to the President’s desk. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. ‘These investments bolster Iowa’s economy and help fortify America’s defenses,’ said Harkin. ‘Iowa plays an important role in strengthening our nation’s defenses, and I am proud to announce this Defense Department funding for our communities and businesses.’ Details of the funding are as follows…PMX INDUSTRIES in Cedar Rapids: $2 million for continued research on how copper alloys can reduce certain types of infection.” [U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works news release, 7/17/06] POONGSAN PRODUCED CLUSTER MUNITIONS FOR THE PAKISTANI MILITARY 2004: Poongsan Entered Into A Production Agreement With Pakistan Ordnance Factories To Co- Produce Cluster Bombs For The Pakistani Military. “Many states have licensed the production of cluster munitions to companies in other states. Most recently, the South Korean company Poongsan entered into a licensed production agreement with Pakistan Ordnance Factories in November 2004 to co- produce K310 155mm extended-range (base bleed) DPICM projectiles in Pakistan. While the ammunition is primarily being produced for Pakistan’s army, the two firms will also reportedly co-market the projectiles to export customers.[26] Israel Military Industries has concluded licensing agreements with companies in India (Indian Ordnance Factories), Romania (Romarm), Turkey (MKEK and Rocketsan), and the US (Alliant Techsystems) to produce M85 DPICM submunitions.” [Global Overview of Government Policy and Practice, Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor, accessed 6/1/15]