'Hyundai College of Education' to Open in Georgia, USA After Korean Detention Incident

$5 Million Donation to Foster Local Talent
"A Chance to Strengthen Our Roots in Georgia"

Hyundai Motor Company will invest $5 million, approximately 7.1 billion won, to establish the 'Hyundai College of Education' in Georgia, USA. Following a large-scale public recruitment of local residents after the detention of Korean nationals, the company is further expanding its support for the local community, thereby strengthening its localization strategy.

On October 15 (local time), Hyundai Motor America announced that the College of Education under Savannah State University (SSU) will be named the 'Hyundai College of Education.' To this end, Hyundai Motor Company donated $5 million to Savannah State University.

Savannah State University campus in Georgia, USA. Savannah State University homepage

Founded in 1890, Savannah State University is the oldest public historically Black university in Georgia. This collaboration is reported to be the largest corporate investment in the university's history.

Eric Thomas, Head of Marketing at Hyundai Motor America, stated, "This is more than just a name or sponsorship," adding, "It is a proud milestone in our commitment to making a positive impact on the local community and broadening pathways for students of all backgrounds to achieve excellence."

The Hyundai College of Education is expected to serve as a center for providing high-quality learning opportunities to students from Georgia and around the world, as well as for training future educators and workforce professionals. Hyundai Motor Company and Savannah State University plan to launch new signage, branding, and scholarship programs early next year.

In April, Hyundai Motor Group established the electric vehicle mass production plant, Metaplant America (HMGMA), in Bryan County, Georgia, and pledged to support education and job readiness programs to help local residents prepare for high-demand jobs. On September 30, Hyundai Motor Company held a public recruitment event at the Savannah Technical College campus, which drew approximately 350 job seekers and was a great success.

Hyundai Motor Company's continued support for the local community is also seen as an effort to improve relations that could have become strained following last month's detention of Korean nationals at the battery plant construction site, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution. According to local media, the detention incident significantly impacted the Savannah area's economy, causing financial hardship for local residents.

Hyundai Motor Company aims to ensure there are no disruptions to its U.S. operations by reinforcing its image as a company that works together with the local community. An industry insider commented, "Although the detention incident occurred, the United States remains an indispensable market for Hyundai Motor Company," adding, "This is likely an effort at the corporate level to maintain a sustainable relationship with the local community."