Leading executives of the Automobile Industry in Korea and award winners led by Minister Yoon Sang-jick of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy are seen during the 11th Automobile Day ceremony held on June 2 at Coex in Seoul. President and CEO Kim Yong-geun of the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association also is also shown in this photo. (Photos:MOTIE)

The 11th Automobile Day ceremony took place at COEX in Seoul on June 2 with over 250 leading executives of the automobile industry and related industries in attendance led by Minister Yoon Sang-jick of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy under the main theme of “The Korean Auto Industry’s March Continues with Outstanding Quality and Leading Technologies.”

Minister Yoon, in his congratulatory speech, said the export of automobile has been increasing greatly thanks to FTAs and stable production and investments in R&D activities for automobile technologies and he further encouraged the automobile industry for their successes in many areas. 

The minister also promised continued government investments in R&D activities for auto technologies by SME auto parts makers.

Minister Yoon appreciated the cooperation among auto makers and parts makers so far, pledging government support to further expand the cooperative efforts in stable, continuous, and realistic mutual support for mutual growth between automobile and parts makers.

President Kim Yong-geun said in his speech that the Korean automobile industry, ranked 5th in the world, is one of the major industries leading the national economy in employment, production, and exports. 

The development of the auto industry is mainly attributed to the great deal of effort by automakers to expand global markets coupled with the active support of the Korean government and people.

The auto industry in Korea is now trying to shift the paradigm from fast-follower to leader through creativity. Especially as customers’ incomes rises, they are relating vehicles to their emotions, creating value and pleasure in life through the automobile, which is becoming work of art or a source of entertainment. The Korean automotive industry, therefore, should proceed continuously toward the world’s highest level in status and best brand in the global market.

Minister Yoon Sang-jick of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy delivers his congratulatory speech during the 11th Automobile Day ceremony on June 2 at Coex, Seoul.

Automobile Day was first established in 2004 to remember May 12, 1999, the date that Korea’s auto exports hit 10 million cars. This year 35 auto executives who contributed to the growth of the auto industry were presented with medals and citations during the ceremony.

Among the recipients of medals were President Sung Yeol-kak of Daewon Kangup, winning the Industrial Merit Silver Medal for his company’s contribution to the progress of the auto industry in Korea by turning out excellent quality auto parts including springs, seats, and others for over six decades and supplying them to automakers around the world, making them globally competitive in terms of quality. 

The Industrial Merit Bronze Medal was awarded to Vice President Shin Hyun-jong of Kia Motors for his role in boosting the image of Kia Motors cars produced in the auto company’s U.S. plants in such areas as productivity and social services to boost the carmaker’s image, thus raising Korea’s national image around the world.

President Chung Byung-ki of Keyang Precision Co. won the Industrial Merit Iron Medal for his contribution to the growth of the auto industry in Korea in such key areas as the development of excellent quality core car parts including auto chargers locally in Korea, thus helping Korea’s technological independence in various auto parts since the company’s launch in 1994.

The Industrial Merit Stone Medal went to Chief Technology Officer Lee Ik-jae of Ssangyong Motor for boosting productivity at the company’s car plants and manpower management by rearranging the production of such car models as the Musso, Reston, and Korando C, and boosting the global competitive power of the automobile company.