Jeong Eui-seon Selected as a 'Disruptive Innovator' by Newsweek... What Kind of Media Is It?

Founded in 1933, the Second Largest Weekly Magazine in the United States

On the 12th (local time), the American news weekly Newsweek selected Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, as the most disruptive innovator in the global automotive industry. Photo by Hyundai Motor Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] On the 12th (local time), the American current affairs weekly Newsweek named Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, as the greatest disruptive innovator in the global automotive industry, drawing attention to the magazine. Newsweek is famous for featuring socially influential figures in the fields of art, academia, economy, religion, and sports on its cover, including former U.S. President Barack Obama.

On the same day, Newsweek held the 'World’s Greatest Auto Disruptors 2022' awards ceremony at the World Trade Center in New York and selected Chairman Chung as the recipient of the 'Visionary of the Year' award.

The 'Visionary of the Year' award is given to industry leaders who will have a significant impact on the future of the automotive industry for more than 30 years, and Chairman Chung is the first-ever recipient. Newsweek cited the reason for the selection as Hyundai and Kia launching the first dedicated electric vehicles 'Ioniq 5', 'EV6', and 'GV60', leading innovation in the electric vehicle sector and making a significant contribution to providing humanity with 'freedom of mobility.'

Meanwhile, Chairman Chung also graced the cover of Newsweek’s special issue on disruptive innovators. Newsweek featured his innovative efforts in robotics and hydrogen energy solutions as the cover story.

Newsweek was founded in 1933 by British journalist Thomas J.C. Martin and is the second-largest weekly magazine in the United States. Like the famous magazine Time, it comprehensively edits domestic and international news and provides fresh and accurate planning and articles in various fields such as economy, politics, and sports.

The magazine is published not only in English but also in Korean, Spanish, and Japanese editions, reaching readers worldwide. The Korean edition began publication in 1991. It mainly covers U.S. and global international issues and is characterized by presenting foreign perspectives rather than Korean viewpoints. While many articles are translations of English content into Korean, some are written directly by Korean journalists. Currently, the Korean edition has been on hiatus since December 2019.

Newsweek also holds rankings and awards across various fields. In addition to the '2022 World’s Greatest Auto Disruptors' award received by Chairman Chung this year, it annually announces various lists such as 'America’s 50 Greatest Disruptors,' 'World’s Best Hospitals by Specialty,' and the 'Newsweek Auto Awards.'

The last print magazine cover of Newsweek in 2012. Print magazine publication resumed in 2014. Photo by Newsweek

In 2012, due to costs and other reasons, Newsweek announced the discontinuation of its print magazine after 80 years and shifted entirely to digital publication, but resumed print publication in March 2014.

Notable past Newsweek cover figures include former U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the late Princess Diana, former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, and baseball player Park Chan-ho. The Newsweek Asia edition has featured former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

Newsweek has faced controversies over some cover figures. In 2012, when former President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage, the cover featured the headline 'First Male Gay President' along with a rainbow hair ring symbolizing sexual diversity placed on Obama’s head, sparking controversy. In 2011, to commemorate the late Princess Diana’s 50th birthday, Newsweek recreated an image of a 50-year-old Diana with the caption 'What she would look like if she had not died in an accident' on the cover, which drew criticism as a diplomatic faux pas toward the UK.

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