Hyundai chief awarded British order

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Fri, December 8, 2023 | 09:31

Companies

Hyundai chief awarded British order

Posted : 2023-11-15 16:34

Updated : 2023-11-16 09:49

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, right, poses with British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks, after receiving the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire at the British Embassy in Seoul, Tuesday. Chung was recognzed for his contributions to enhancing economic and cultural ties between the two countries. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

By Lee Min-hyung

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun has been awarded the honor of the Command of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, group founder Chung Ju-yung, the company said Wednesday.

Chung won the honor for his contributions to the arts, culture and eco-friendly mobility. He became the first Korean to receive the award since the accession of King Charles III.

The honor is bestowed on those who have made significant contributions to British society in fields such as technology, science, sports, arts and culture.

The Hyundai leader received the award in recognition of his deep involvement in both economic and cultural cooperation between Korea and the United Kingdom. The bilateral partnership has been reinforced particularly after the group started exporting its vehicles to the U.K. in 1982.

“Executive Chair Chung, as it has seen your forebears whom we have similarly honored, as an exemplar of this outstanding tradition of commercial and philanthropic leadership, one which has taken Hyundai Motor Group’s partnership with our country to unprecedented levels of collaboration,” U.K. Ambassador Colin Crooks said during a ceremony at the U.K. Embassy in central Seoul, Tuesday.

“It is my great honor to confer to you this evening the award of Honorary Commander of the most Excellent Order of the British Empire — the first such award to a Korean national during the reign of His Majesty King Charles III.”

Hyundai Motor Group founder Chung Ju-yung, right, is awarded the honor of the Command of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, at the British Embassy in Seoul in this 1977 file photo. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

Chung also pledged to continue expanding bilateral ties in not just business, but also culture and even public service.

“I believe this honor has been bestowed upon me not for my individual service, but in recognition of Hyundai Motor Group’s contributions to our two nations’ cooperation and friendship,” Chung said. “We will further contribute to our bilateral cooperation in business, art, culture, sports and public service.”

“The spirit of Hyundai Motor Group has always been to achieve what may seem impossible now, and to excel beyond expectations. And we know that this was possible because we have friends like you.”

Hyundai Motor Group accounted for 9.2 percent of car sales in the U.K for the first 10 months combined this year, up 8.7 percent from the same period last year.

Of particular note is the growing popularity of the carmaker’s electric vehicles (EV) there. The company sold some 28,000 EVs there during the same period, ranking third in the category following Tesla and Volkswagen. The achievement was driven by Hyundai’s unwavering vision for electrification.

The company is also widening its footing in culture and sports there. Hyundai has long been a sponsor of the Tate Modern art museum, and strongly supports development and popularization of innovative art.

Hyundai is on track to deepen its sports exchanges with the U.K. as a title sponsor for Genesis Scottish Open, a renowned gold tournament in Europe.

mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr