The Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) board of directors elected Kim Yong-keun, former president of the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Technology (KIAT), as its new chairman at a meeting on Oct. 15, the association said recently.
At the inaugural ceremony held at KAMA’ office in Seoul, the new chairman said the auto industry in Korea ranked 5th largest in the world and has been leading the development of the Korean economy. “The auto industry is where it is now due to the efforts of automakers to boost their global market share by enhancing their competitive edge over rivals in the world, as well as government support and the direct and indirect catalyst roles played by KAMA,” Kim said.
“Everyone here should take pride in what he or she did in the line of duty for KAMA and I, too, am glad to join you in boosting KAMA’s role,” the chairman said.
“Our country’s per capita income is edging close to $40,000 with total trade about to reach $2 trillion, changing the paradigm of Korea from pursuer to leader as well as creator. As incomes rise, the people take so much pleasure in their cars, not just as a means for transportation, to the extent that they are seen as pieces of art and part of entertainment and, as such, the Korean auto industry moves toward boosting its position in the world as a top-brand auto production nation in the world.
“When we take into account our capability, passion and energy, such targets are achievable and KAMA will do its best in diverse areas including as a medium between the government and the auto companies and in seeking cooperation with related industries, doing our utmost to make our auto industry a top auto industry in the world,” the new chairman said.
He said he thought of such a slogan as “Car is art, Korea is advancing,” to reflect how KAMA will do its best to help make the Korean auto industry among the leading global automakers.
“I expect many new types of problems and issues to occur as the auto industry continues to expand overseas, shoulder-to-shoulder with top automakers in the world, calling for new industrial policies as part of the future tasks that the government should come up with. They are more complicated as the auto industry expands further and further abroad creating new trade issues and labor problems and seeking industrial cooperation in the areas of environment and safety which we, KAMA, should get involved in for the sake of its automaker members. We should boost our professionalism to the same level as the position that the auto industry occupies in the world auto industry so that we will be able to take care of various problems in the way of the auto industry’s further progress in the world auto market.
“I heard that KAMA has very talented personnel and has a very good working environment, and a model organization as far as its relations with government agencies are concerned doing its mission and tasks in full at all times,” Kim said.
“I will do my best to go hand-in-hand with all of you to take care of the tasks that our association is faced with, hoping you would not spare your efforts to help me, wishing the best for KAMA and all of you in the future.”
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