- Appointments to maintain Group performance momentum and solidify foundation for future growth
- Increased promotion of senior executives to expand future leadership pool, with 53 executive promotions focusing on key functions
- Realization of internal talent development approach to drive leadership culture, with executive appointments driving new talent within the Group
Hyundai Motor Group today announced key executive appointments for the year 2024. Through its latest appointments, the Group aims to strengthen its foundations for future growth and better prepare for uncertainties in the global business environment.
A total of 239 executives from the Group’s affiliates are included in the announcement, including 73 executives from Hyundai Motor Company, 43 executives from Kia Corporation, and 20 from Hyundai Mobis Co.
The Group has continued its performance-based approach to appointments to reflect the efforts of key individuals and capitalize on business momentum built throughout 2024.
Key Executive Appointments
Following the appointment of Jose Muñoz as the company’s first non-Korean CEO in November, Hyundai Motor Company has promoted several executives who were instrumental in the record-breaking performance of the Group’s affiliates.
Seung Jo Lee is promoted to Executive Vice President, recognizing his exceptional contributions as Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Hyundai Motor Company, including exceeding financial goals and establishing the company’s Hyundai Way 2030 strategy.
Zayong Koo, Head of Investor Relations of Hyundai Motor Company, is promoted to Executive Vice President, reflecting his crucial role in upgrading ratings from leading global credit ratings agencies, such as A- by Fitch, A3 by Moody’s, and A- by S&P Global, and successfully leading the Initial Public Offering of Hyundai Motor India Limited this year.
At Kia Corporation, Seung Jun Kim is promoted to Senior Vice President and appointed as CFO of Kia. Kim’s promotion acknowledges his valuable contributions to Kia’s financial health in the Finance & Accounting Division and the U.S. sales division. He succeeds Woo Jeong Joo, who has been appointed CEO of Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. following his successful tenure as Kia’s CFO.
Tae Hun Lee is promoted to Executive Vice President of Global Operations Division, having demonstrated exceptional leadership in responding to market dynamics and contributing to the company’s record performance in 2024.
At Hyundai Rotem Co. Jeong Yeob Lee is promoted to Executive Vice President and becomes Head of the Defense Solutions division, recognizing his leadership in securing large-scale overseas orders.
By promoting individuals who have delivered exceptional results, Hyundai Motor Group aims to sustain its current momentum, strengthen its long-term business competitiveness, and drive future growth.
Increasing the promotion of senior executives to accelerate change and innovation
Jaehoon Chang, the current Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO who will become Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group as of January 2025, will assume the Group’s Head of Corporate Planning Office Hyundai Motor Group role and double as leading the Group’s Automotive Division. Chang will maximize the Group’s performance by optimizing businesses and strategies. He will also oversee the cultivation and investment in future businesses, serving as a focal point for change and innovation.
A total of 53 executives have been promoted to Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President collectively to solidify foundations for the Group’s sustainable growth.
The Group has strengthened its efforts to appoint key talent that will drive the development of innovative technologies to accelerate global electrification.
Chang Hwan Kim, Head of the Group’s Electrification Energy Solutions Tech. Unit, is promoted to Executive Vice President, leading the development of technologies across the entire energy spectrum, including batteries and hydrogen.
Dong Hee Han, Head of Electrified Propulsion Test Center, is also promoted to Executive Vice President, overseeing the development of core technologies for powertrains, encompassing both internal combustion engines and electrified propulsion system.
Driving Leadership Culture Change
Since announcing its 2025 business strategy, the Group has taken a diverse approach to executive appointment, with a significant proportion of candidates elevated to these positions to advance the Group’s talent trajectory.
In terms of R&D, the Group has selected outstanding talent in vehicle development areas including basic performance and electronic control, and future core technology areas such as robotics, electrification, and hydrogen.
A remarkable 64 percent of new executive appointees in R&D areas are in their forties. These include Sihyun Joo, Head of Robotics Intelligence Software Team, Mu Shin Kwak, Head of eP Project Group, and Kookil Han, Head of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Engineering Design Group 2, who have all been promoted to the position of Vice President.
To further diversity and inclusion and drive innovation, the Group has promoted 11 female executives this year, with female executives appointed in roles relating to customer value innovation, including branding, IT, new businesses and strategy.
Sujin Ryu, Head of Brand Division at Hyundai Card, is promoted to Senior Vice President for her significant contributions to enhancing the Hyundai Card brand value through her exceptional brand understanding and global capabilities.
The Group’s latest appointments, effective as of January 2025, aimed at enhancing organizational agility and leadership as the global business environment gets ever more unpredictable.
The Group will also sustain its commitment to recruiting and nurturing exceptional individuals capable of shaping future business transformation.
