Government Awards Mark 50th Anniversary of Auto Exports... Hyundai Vice Chairman Jang Jaehun Receives Gold Tower Order

Highest Industrial Honor Awarded for the First Time in 20 Years
Government Vows Full Support for Transition to Future Mobility

Yonhap News Agency

The government will present awards to contributors to the development of the automotive industry to mark the 50th anniversary of automobile exports. In addition, it will launch a public-private consultative body to respond to the transition to the future mobility market and establish comprehensive support measures.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it will hold the 23rd Automotive Day celebration event at the JW Marriott Seoul Hotel in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on May 12.

The event will be attended by Moon Sinhak, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Chung Daejin, President of the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association; Lee Taekseong, Chairman of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association; Jang Jaehun, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company; and around 300 other automobile industry officials.

This year's event has been organized to commemorate the 50th anniversary since the first export of the domestic car 'Pony' in 1976. In light of the record-high automobile exports last year, the government has decided to expand its awards, including the highest honor, the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, for the first time in 20 years since 2007.

The Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the highest honor, will be awarded to Jang Jaehun, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, who led the industrial transition through large-scale domestic investment and the acquisition of key technologies for future vehicles. Vice Chairman Jang is recognized for his contributions to investment in Saemangeum and for advancing an electrification and software-centric future vehicle strategy.

The Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit will be awarded to Ham Sangshik, CEO of MR InfraAuto, for his contribution to the localization of precision auto parts. CEO Ham is credited with developing fine blanking technology for the precise cutting and processing of metal sheets, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of domestic auto parts.

The Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit will be awarded to Hwang Giyoung, CEO of KG Mobility, for his achievements in expanding the overseas market with a focus on eco-friendly SUVs.

Vice Minister Moon stated, "The government will focus its policy capabilities on maintaining domestic automobile production at over 4 million units and enabling our industry to proactively respond to the rapid transition to the future mobility market."

He continued, "It is important that the component ecosystem, which has been centered on internal combustion engine vehicles, remains stable even in the future mobility market. This week, we will form an 'Automotive Ecosystem Transition Council' with participation from the government, industry, and academia, and through this, we will promptly prepare a 'Comprehensive Support Plan for the Transition to Future Mobility.'

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