Hyundai Motor recruits US experts
Hyundai Motor Group is recruiting security and diplomatic experts in the United States to prepare for the potential reelection of Donald Trump, industry officials said Monday.
The steps the automaker is taking are widely viewed as a move to bolster its risk management in the world’s largest economy. This comes as the Republican primary frontrunner continues to emphasize a tough stance on eliminating tax credit benefits provided to Korean electric vehicle and battery manufacturers.
In response, Hyundai Motor is expanding its global policy office by recruiting Woo Jung-yeop, former director general for strategy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Woo will serve as a senior vice president at the office led by Kim Il-bum, executive vice president of the automotive group.
Kim was recruited to lead the unit last year, given his diplomatic expertise. His previous role involved serving as secretary for protocol to President Yoon Suk Yeol for a year from March 2022.
Woo is expected to help map out Hyundai’s U.S. strategy amid escalating economic and diplomatic uncertainties ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November. With Trump signaling a strong inclination toward economic protectionism, Korean automakers, like Hyundai Motor and Kia, and a group of export-reliant manufacturers are monitoring the election.
Woo is a U.S. expert with contacts that include officials from various levels of the U.S. government. Previously, he served as a senior research fellow specializing in the U.S. at the Sejong Institute, a prominent private think tank.
The latest recruitment came about two months after the automaker hired Sung Kim, former U.S. ambassador to Korea, as its advisor. This aims to enhance its networking efforts abroad and strengthen alliances with both U.S. and other overseas partners.
The Hyundai Motor advisor was also seen assisting Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun during this year’s CES in Las Vegas.
Industry officials said not just the automaker, but battery firms and a group of other export-driven tech firms here, have no choice but to strengthen their lobbying activities ahead of the upcoming U.S. election.
“From the perspective of Korean companies, there are no clear solutions to navigate Trump’s unpredictable policy direction,” an official at a Korean conglomerate said on condition of anonymity. “The recruitment of these U.S. experts is part of the firm’s initiative to bolster its networking efforts and establish stronger connections with the U.S.”
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The recruitment of such U.S. experts is part of the firm’s initiative to bolster its networking efforts.
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