GoldStar Produces South Korea's First Domestic Refrigerator, the GR-120

In April 1965, GoldStar Co., Ltd., the predecessor of LG Electronics, manufactured South Korea's first domestically produced refrigerator, the GR-120, marking a historic milestone in the country's home appliance industry. Founded in 1958 by entrepreneur Koo In-hwoi, GoldStar had already pioneered domestic manufacturing of radios, electric fans, telephones, and electrical equipment. The introduction of the GR-120 represented the company's expansion into refrigeration technology and modern household appliances. Featuring a simple white exterior and a practical design, the refrigerator demonstrated South Korea's growing ability to manufacture appliances that had previously depended heavily on imported technology. Its development marked an important step toward making modern refrigeration available to Korean households. The production of the GoldStar GR-120 became a defining achievement in South Korea's industrial and technological development, helping establish the foundations of the country's modern refrigerator manufacturing industry. The refrigerator demonstrated GoldStar's expanding expertise in consumer appliance engineering and supported the company's transformation into a diversified electronics manufacturer. Following this achievement, GoldStar introduced South Korea's first domestically manufactured black-and-white television in 1966, room air conditioner in 1968, and washing machine in 1969. In recognition of its historical importance, the original GR-120 refrigerator was designated a National Registered Cultural Heritage of South Korea on August 27, 2013, under registration number 560. This pioneering refrigerator remains an important symbol of the early technological achievements that helped shape modern LG Electronics.