[Yonhap News] National Automobile Day… "Korean New Deal for the New Age of Future Automobiles”

(Seoul=Yonhap News) by Eun-ji Koh = The 17^th National Automobile Day Ceremony was held at the Korea Automobile Manufacturer Association headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul on May 12.

The National Automobile Day is celebrated annually since 2004, commemorating May 12, 1999 when the accumulative automobile exports surpassed 10 million cars. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was limited to the awardees and their family.

In his speech, Vice Minister Seung-il Cheong of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy commented that “the 3 industries including future automobiles can lead us to economic development and profits for future generations. We offer our full support for the new age of future automobiles with a Korean version of New Deal.”

“Infrastructure such as roads and communications for self-driving cars must be implemented at an early stage. We also plan on promoting remote services using self-driving cars. Starting this month, we hope to kickstart the support team for auto parts industry reorganization, so that auto parts companies may move toward future automobile and new industries.”

During the ceremony, a total of 11 individuals received orders of merit, medals of honor, and presidential commendations for their contributions to the development of the Korean automobile industry.

Vice President Jin-mo Yang of Hyundai Motors received Order of Industrial Service Merits, Silver Tower, for his contributions to the hydrogen economy and mutual growth with auto parts industry. Inotech CEO Heui-bang Lee was awarded Bronze Tower for the localization of steering system parts.

Industrial Service Medals were conferred to Jun-ha Hwang, Executive Director of GM Technical Center Korea, and Seok-won Im, Vice President of Renault Samsung Motors.

Presidential Commendations were awarded to Executive Director Ik-du Eom of Seojincam, Professor Kyoungdoug Min of Seoul National University, Director Kwang-beom Lee of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, and Chief Researcher Baek-hang Lee of the Korea Automotive Technology Institute. Prime Ministerial Commendations were awarded to Chief Researcher Jae-wook Jeong of Ssangyong Motors, Director Hyuk Lee of Korea Fuel-Tech, and Director Jun-seo Park of Hyundai Motors.

The attendees agreed that despite the global economic recession, automobile industry will be one of Korea’s leading industries for its economic recovery, and that the current crisis can be overcome with collective effort.

Link to article https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200511120600003