Hyundai Motor Group boss Euisun Chung has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for contributions to the arts, culture and eco-friendly electrified mobility.
A former winner of Autocar’s Issigonis Trophy, Chung becomes the first Korean to receive the award – bestowed on those who’ve made significant contributions to British society – since the accession of King Charles III.
He was presented with the CBE by Britain's ambassador to South Korea, Colin Crooks, following in the footsteps of Hyundai founding chairman Ju-yung Chung, who received the same recognition in 1977.
“I believe this honour has been bestowed upon me not for my individual service but in recognition of Hyundai Motor Group’s contributions to our two nations’ co-operation and friendship,” said Euisun Chung.
“We will further contribute to our bilateral cooperation in business, art, culture, sports and public service.”
He added: “The spirit of Hyundai Motor Group has always been to achieve what may seem impossible now and to excel beyond expectations. And we know that this was possible because we have friends like you.”
Chung was given the honour because of his involvement in economic and cultural co-operation between South Korea and the UK, a partnership sparked when Hyundai started selling its vehicles here in 1982.
Today, the group's impact on the UK has been reflected by the success of its models, such as the Kia EV6, which won Autocar sibling brand What Car?’s Car of the Year award in 2022.
Crooks said: “Executive chair Chung [is] an exemplar of this outstanding tradition of commercial and philanthropic leadership, one which has taken Hyundai Motor Group’s partnership with our country to unprecedented levels of collaboration.”
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