Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chair Chang Jae-hoon has been awarded South Korea’s most prestigious industrial honor, the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, for his outstanding contributions to the nation’s automotive sector. This significant recognition marks the first time in 19 years that this top-tier award has been bestowed upon a leader in the automobile industry, underscoring Chang’s pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility.
The distinguished award was presented to Chang at the 23rd Automobile Day ceremony, hosted at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seoul. The high-profile event, jointly organized by the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association and the Korea Auto Industries Coop. Association, drew over 300 key government officials and prominent industry representatives, including Vice Industry Minister Moon Shin-hak.
The Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit stands as the highest class among the government’s five-tiered industrial merit awards. It is conferred upon business leaders who demonstrate exceptional dedication and impact on national industrial development. The previous recipient from the automotive industry received this honor back in 2007, highlighting the rarity and significance of Chang’s achievement.
Hyundai Motor Group emphasized that Chang was recognized for spearheading the transition towards innovative future mobility solutions. His leadership included significant domestic investments and persistent efforts to secure essential core technologies. Furthermore, his initiatives have substantially contributed to regional economic revitalization and the creation of new growth engines, propelling the country’s industrial progress.
Following the ceremony, Chang Jae-hoon addressed reporters, stating, “Automobiles are poised to play an increasingly critical role as a platform industry going forward.” He added, “In this context, I believe the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, awarded for the first time in nearly two decades, truly belongs to the entire automotive industry, reflecting our collective efforts and achievements.”
Chang further articulated the critical importance of connectivity across Hyundai Motor Group’s diverse core businesses. He stressed the necessity for autonomous driving, robotics, and artificial intelligence to operate in seamless synergy, identifying platform scalability, operational speed, and global scale as the group’s paramount strategic priorities for sustained growth.
“Therefore, the domestic and US investment plans we have previously announced demand not only a high degree of sophistication but also swift and timely execution,” Chang commented, reassuring that the company is committed to implementing these plans effectively and efficiently.
When questioned about the intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, Chang candidly acknowledged their formidable cost competitiveness in the global market.
“I recognize that Chinese EV offerings possess a significant advantage in terms of cost competitiveness. For us to thrive in this environment, it is imperative that we elevate every aspect of safety, quality, customer service, and the overall customer experience,” he explained. “I sincerely hope that this competitive landscape will serve as a catalyst, providing us with an opportunity to advance even further.”
This year’s Automobile Day ceremony prominently featured the theme of commemorating 50 years of South Korean automobile exports. The event celebrated the nation’s remarkable achievement of cumulative vehicle exports reaching 76 million units as of February 2026. South Korea’s journey in global automobile trade began in June 1976, when Hyundai Motor made its inaugural export, shipping six iconic Pony vehicles to Ecuador.
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