Contribution to National Economic Development and Spread of Sharing Culture through Securing Corporate Competitiveness
Chairman Kwon Oh-gap of HD Hyundai received an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from his alma mater, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, on the 17th. This was in recognition of his contributions to national economic development through securing competitiveness as a top corporate executive, practicing social responsibility, and spreading a culture of sharing.
HD Hyundai announced on the 19th that the honorary doctorate degree conferment ceremony was held at the International Hall of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, with about 200 attendees including Park Jung-woon, President of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Oh Yeon-cheon, President of Ulsan University, and Kim Do-yeon, former Minister of Education.
Kwon Oh-gap, Chairman of HD Hyundai, is delivering a speech at the honorary Doctorate in Business Administration degree conferment ceremony held on the 17th at the International Hall of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. [Photo by HD Hyundai]
Chairman Kwon graduated from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in 1975 and served as a Marine Corps officer before joining HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in 1978, where he has worked for 46 years. He has held positions such as Head of the Seoul Office, CEO of HD Hyundai Oilbank, and CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. While working at the company, he has also been involved in educational administration for 34 years, serving as Secretary General and Executive Director of the Ulsan Industrial Academy and Hyundai Academy foundations. Additionally, through his involvement in school sports, he has naturally developed a connection with soccer and has been engaged in soccer-related activities for 32 years.
In 2014, when the shipbuilding industry was struggling due to the global recession, he was appointed president of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and achieved a turnaround to profitability within two years through intensive reforms. In 2017, he transitioned the company to a holding company structure, establishing transparent governance. After becoming chairman of HD Hyundai in November 2019, he built a business portfolio centered on three core pillars: shipbuilding, energy, and construction machinery, laying the foundation for sustainable business expansion.
In 2011, Chairman Kwon launched the '1% Sharing Foundation,' the first of its kind among domestic large corporations, where employees donate 1% of their salaries. The foundation raises about 8 billion KRW annually. Recently, he also established the 'HD Hyundai Hope Foundation' to comfort the families of victims of major accidents at shipyards.
In recognition of these achievements, Chairman Kwon received the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit on Commerce and Industry Day in 2023 and was inducted into the 'Korea Business Hall of Fame' by the Korean Academy of Management in 2021, becoming the first professional manager to receive this honor.
Chairman Kwon Oh-gap of HD Hyundai (left) and President Park Jung-woon of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies [Photo by HD Hyundai]
At the degree conferment ceremony, Chairman Kwon said, "Universities not only nurture leaders of the nation and society but, before that, they are places where young people study diligently with their friends and prepare to live socially in roles suited to their positions, and above all, they cultivate good citizens." He added, "Being able to contribute to university management has been as great a source of fulfillment and honor as corporate management."
He expressed, "It is a great honor to receive an honorary doctorate from my alma mater, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies," and stated, "I will continue to do my best to contribute to the development of our country's economy and social integration with a sense of mission and principles as a business leader."
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