Invitation of Japanese Journalists to Korea for Four Days and Three Nights
Visits to Seoul Mobility Show and HMG Taean Circuit
Signing of MOU for the Advancement of the Automotive Industry and Journalism in Korea and Japan
The Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA) announced on the 7th that from the 2nd to the 5th, they invited 15 journalists from the Japan Automobile Journalists Association (AJAJ) to showcase the present and future of the Korean automotive industry and provide opportunities to experience various automotive cultures.
This visit by the Japan Automobile Journalists Association was arranged following a promise made by the executives of both associations at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show to activate international exchanges, and the schedule was set to coincide with the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show. During their stay in Korea, the Japanese journalists covered the Seoul Mobility Show, toured key facilities of Hyundai Motor Company and Toyota Korea, and participated in electric vehicle test drive programs.
On the 2nd, a group of journalists from the Japan Automobile Association visiting Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang received an explanation about the simulation crash test. Photo by Korea Automobile Journalists Association
On the 4th, members of the Japan Automotive Journalists Association toured the late Chung Ju-yung Hyundai Group Founder Exhibition Hall. Provided by the Korea Automotive Journalists Association
On the first day of the invitation event, the 2nd, they visited Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, where they toured exhibitions focused on the birth process of automobiles, future mobility technologies, and visions, and experienced simulators and VR.
On the morning of the 3rd, after covering the Seoul Mobility Show, KAJA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Japanese association to promote the development of the automotive industry and journalism in both countries. That afternoon, they visited the Toyota Training Academy in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and then moved to CONNECT TO, a complex cultural space in Jamsil, Seoul, where they experienced the brand philosophy, values, and customer experience spaces that Toyota and Lexus present in the Korean market.
On the 3rd, at the Toyota Training Academy, Lee Byung-jin, Vice President of Toyota Korea Motors, is delivering a greeting to the Japan Automotive Journalists Association press group. Provided by the Korea Automotive Journalists Association
On the 4th, near KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, they test drove Hyundai’s flagship electric vehicle, the Ioniq 9, and traveled approximately 200 km on public roads from Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang to Hyundai Seosan Farm in electric vehicles including the Hyundai Casper Electric, Ioniq 6, and Genesis G80 electrified model. At Hyundai Seosan Farm, they visited an exhibition hall that reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of the late founder Chung Ju-yung and toured the reclaimed land rice milling process and the ox farm.
At the Korea-Japan Automobile Journalists Association business agreement ceremony held at the Seoul Mobility Show on the 3rd, Choi Dae-yeol, president of the Korea Automobile Journalists Association (left in the photo), and Kiyoshi Komoda, president of the Japan Automobile Journalists Association, are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association
On the last day of the visit, the 5th, they visited the HMG Driving Experience Center located in Taean, Chungnam Province, where they experienced various driving programs such as gate slalom, drag experience, and high-speed and draft taxi rides with the Ioniq 5 N.
Choi Dae-yeol, president of the Korea Automobile Journalists Association, said, "This visit by the Japanese journalists has become an opportunity to further solidify the friendly cooperative relationship between the two associations," adding, "We will continue to strengthen cooperation to promote the development of the automotive industries in both countries and contribute to the advancement of journalism through various international exchange programs."
Komoda Kiyoshi, president of the Japan Automobile Journalists Association, said, "This visit was a truly valuable opportunity to experience the remarkable development and dynamism of the Korean automotive industry." He continued, "The HMG Driving Experience Center is much larger in scale than similar facilities of global brands, and it was very impressive that such a large-scale investment is possible. The instructor training is also excellent," he evaluated.
On the 5th, a group of Japanese journalists took a group photo at the HMG Driving Experience Center located in Taean, Chungnam. Photo by Korea Automobile Journalists Association
The Japan Automobile Journalists Association was established in 1969 and has about 100 specialized automotive journalists as members. Many members are automotive experts to the extent that they educate instructors affiliated with global brands or work as professional drivers. The association participates in the annual judging of Japan Car of the Year and regularly holds technical briefings and research sessions.
Meanwhile, the Korea Automobile Journalists Association has 59 member media companies including major domestic daily newspapers, broadcasters, news agencies, online media, and automotive specialized magazines, with about 200 journalists affiliated with these members. Every year, they select and announce the ‘Korea Car of the Year (K-COTY),’ and host various events such as symposiums and seminars to discuss automotive issues and seek solutions, tech tours, and automotive industry award ceremonies.
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