HD Hyundai said on the 15th that ambassadors from 30 countries accredited to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, visited the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province.
Ambassadors to NATO are the highest-ranking diplomats each member nation dispatches to NATO headquarters and participate in all political and military decision-making processes on behalf of their countries. They visited Korea to explore ways to strengthen cooperation between NATO and Korea.
The delegation confirmed HD Hyundai's shipbuilding technologies as they were briefed on destroyers, frigates, submarines, and unmanned surface vessels developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, as well as on the development status of next-generation autonomous ships that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
They also visited Cheongun Hall, a history gallery designed to introduce the history and philosophy of HD Hyundai and its founder, the late Chung Ju-yung, honorary chairman of Hyundai Group, and watched a video outlining HD Hyundai's future vision.
The delegation then went to the Digital Convergence Center to see firsthand technologies such as AI-based naval solutions, hybrid electric propulsion vessels, and Digital Twin virtual sea trials.
Park Yong-yeol, head of the Naval & Special Ship Business Unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said, "It is very meaningful to present our technologies and capabilities directly to ambassadors from NATO, the world's strongest military alliance," and added, "HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will step up efforts to expand cooperation with countries around the world in advanced maritime defense."
On the 31st, more than 30 foreign defense attachés from 25 countries in Korea visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan headquarters to tour the shipyard and naval ship construction sites.