"Top-Class Prehistoric Leap" Kim Kyung-bae, HMM CEO, Inaugural Address

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Kim Kyung-bae, the newly appointed CEO of HMM, stated on the 29th, "We will make every effort with all employees to achieve the highest level of global competitiveness as a leading national shipping company."

Kim, who was nominated as CEO through the management recommendation committee, was officially appointed after the regular shareholders' meeting and board of directors held on the same day. In his inaugural speech, he said, "We will ensure continuous profitability and enhance the company's status in the global market," adding, "We will consider and implement various measures to increase shareholder value."

He continued, "With a sense of mission as the artery of the industry and economy, we will strive to establish differentiated competitiveness to provide the best service that satisfies our customers," and asked, "Please watch over and support us as we build a new status as a global top-class shipping company that we have long dreamed of."

After graduating from Yonsei University, the new CEO Kim joined Hyundai Precision (now Hyundai Mobis), served in the secretariat of the honorary chairman of Hyundai Group, and held positions such as head of planning at Hyundai Mobis, head of secretariat at Hyundai Motor Group, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, and CEO of Hyundai Wia. Recognized for his successful leadership of Hyundai Glovis for nine years, he was selected as the next captain of HMM. At the shareholders' meeting, Park Jin-ki, the executive vice president, was reappointed as an inside director alongside Kim. Additionally, an outstanding professor from Chung-Ang University’s Department of International Logistics and lawyer Jung Woo-young from the law firm Kwangjang were newly appointed as outside directors.

Meanwhile, at the HMM shareholders' meeting, some minority shareholders expressed dissatisfaction regarding the cash dividend rate, the conversion of perpetual convertible bonds (CB), and sale issues. Minority shareholders demanded the cancellation of treasury shares, claiming that the stock price plummeted during the conversion of HMM convertible bonds into shares by the Korea Ocean Business Corporation and the Korea Development Bank. There were also shareholders who protested that the 2.2% dividend rate was too low.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.