"Don't Worry If You Can't Speak English" The Background Behind Hyundai Motor's Foreign CEO Emphasis...

Jose Munoz, the Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Hyundai Motor Company, who is set to become the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in January next year, said, "We will succeed by consistently providing beautifully designed, high-quality vehicles with the technology that customers want."

On the 11th, COO Munoz held his first town hall meeting with headquarters employees at Hyundai's office on Gangnam-daero, Seoul. He is scheduled to work as Hyundai's first foreign CEO since the company's founding starting next year. He recently arrived in Korea ahead of the year-end meeting where Hyundai's regional heads from around the world will gather.

On the 21st of last month (local time), Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor Company's Global Chief Operating Officer, was presenting at the LA Auto Show in the United States. He will assume the role of Hyundai Motor Company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) starting January next year. Photo by Yonhap News.

During the town hall meeting, where he spoke candidly with employees, he urged, "Be humble but always hungry," and asked everyone to "be the hardest-working employee in your position." The meeting was also attended by Jang Jae-hoon, the current CEO who was recently promoted to Vice Chairman of the group, Randy Parker, who succeeded Munoz as head of the North America regional headquarters and is the head of Hyundai Motor America, and Kim Hae-in, Vice President in charge of human resources.

Munoz predicted that while he has spent a lot of time overseas, especially in the North American region, from next year when he assumes the CEO position, he will spend more time working in Korea. It is said that Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun advised him accordingly. At last month’s LA Auto Show in the U.S., he told Korean reporters, "I plan to spend about 70% of my time in Korea and 30% elsewhere."

Although he does not speak Korean, he is confident that communication will not be a problem. He is originally from Spain, studied in Madrid, and has mainly worked at automobile companies in the U.S. and Europe.

He said, "I have decided to learn Korean as I take on this new role," adding, "There is no need to worry even if you don’t speak English." He also said, "I will communicate through data and results," and added, "It is also possible to communicate through interpreters or new applications (apps)."