Hyundai Motor Group said on the 8th that it carried out executive appointments to strengthen labor and production operations capabilities, including naming Kia President Choi Jun-young as head of group policy development. The move aims to tighten labor management as the yellow envelope law, a new labor law aimed at strengthening the bargaining rights of subcontract workers (Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act Articles 2 and 3 amendment), takes effect.
According to Hyundai Motor Group, the policy development chief oversees the group's overall labor affairs. Through this personnel move, the role was elevated from vice president (chief) to president-level (head). It is seen as an intent to have the highest ranks handle labor-management risks across the group. Choi has been credited with leading labor negotiations at Kia since 2018. Kia completed wage talks without a strike for five consecutive years through last year.
Jeong Sang-bin, the Hyundai Motor–Kia policy development chief who had overseen the group's labor affairs, moved to Hyundai Mobis as head of labor policy. The post is vice president level and was newly created in this reshuffle. Work previously overseen by an executive director was elevated to vice president level. As labor issues at a key parts company can lead to production disruptions, the move is seen as an effort to manage them preemptively.
With Choi's move, Vice President Song Min-su was appointed head of domestic production at Kia. Song will oversee Kia's domestic production and serve as chief safety officer (CSO), handling production system operations.
Hyundai Motor Group said it made the appointments "considering experience and expertise to ensure stable labor-management relations and efficient production operations."