First Korean ISO President Elected... "Confirming Status as an International Standards Leader"

CEO Seonghwan Cho giving a briefing
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Seonghwan Cho, CEO of Hyundai Mobis, is giving a briefing on June 20 at the Ministry of Industry press room in the Government Sejong Complex regarding his candidacy for the next chairman election of the international standardization organization, the first in Korea. 2022.6.20 [Provided by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Resale and DB prohibited]
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[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Junhyung] Cho Seonghwan, CEO of Hyundai Mobis, will officially begin his duties as president of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) starting next year. This is being seen as a confirmation of South Korea's solidified position as a leader in international standardization.

Cho Seonghwan, CEO of Hyundai Mobis, stated this during a press conference held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 12th. Cho said, "I am proud to have the opportunity to serve the nation and society," adding, "I will take this as a chance to contribute not only to Korea but also to the global economy through my experience and leadership as a manager of a large corporation."

ISO is the world's largest standardization organization with 167 member countries. Previously, Cho was elected as the next president at the '44th ISO General Assembly' held on the 22nd of last month. Cho's term as ISO president will be from 2024 to 2025. Starting next year, he will perform ISO duties for one year in the capacity of 'president-elect.'

Government support played a key role in Cho's election as ISO president. The government, centered on the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, provided behind-the-scenes support for Cho's election campaign through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KOTRA. A representative from the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards explained, "We produced and distributed promotional materials introducing the candidate in English and local languages to ISO full member organizations, conducting an election campaign considerate of member countries," adding, "For countries that did not express support, we secured backing through intensive face-to-face and video meetings."

The government plans to actively support Cho's execution of his ISO presidential duties. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards will first provide advisory support for major tasks such as the general assembly and board meetings starting next year when Cho begins ISO activities as president-elect.

Additionally, the government intends to strengthen cooperation with ISO following Cho's election. Accordingly, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards plans to actively discover and promote cooperative projects with ISO member countries, including the United Kingdom, which were discussed during Cho's election campaign. Consultations to support capacity-building projects for developing countries with the ISO Central Secretariat are also scheduled to begin soon.

Lee Sanghoon, director of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, said, "Cho's election as ISO president is an opportunity to confirm Korea's status as a leader in international standardization," adding, "We will do our utmost to help Cho successfully fulfill his role as president and enable Korea to contribute to the international community."

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