Kwon Oh-gap, Honorary Chairman of HD Hyundai, Holds "Coexistence Luncheon" with Former Union Branch Chiefs

From Prison Visits to Luncheon for Coexistence
Kwon Oh-gap’s Decade of Sincere Commitment

Kwon Oh-gap, Honorary Chairman of HD Hyundai, met with former union branch chiefs to engage in dialogue aimed at the company’s sustainable development and the establishment of strong labor-management trust.

Kwon Oh-gap, Honorary Chairman of HD Hyundai, held a coexistence luncheon with former union branch chiefs at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Reception Hall in Ulsan. From the second person on the left in the photo: Jung Byung-mo, 20th union branch chief; Kwon Oh-gap, Honorary Chairman; Baek Hyung-rok, 21st union branch chief; Park Keun-tae, 22nd union branch chief; Cho Kyung-geun, 23rd union branch chief; Jung Byung-chun, 24th union branch chief. HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai announced on the 11th that Honorary Chairman Kwon recently held a luncheon meeting at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Reception Hall with five former branch chiefs who led the Hyundai Heavy Industries branch of the Metal Workers’ Union from 2014 to 2023.

Honorary Chairman Kwon stated, “Although the shipbuilding industry is said to be entering a boom period, global competition is intensifying, especially with China’s rapid pursuit. For the company’s sustainable growth, I urge labor and management to join hands and pool their wisdom together.”

Honorary Chairman Kwon took office as president in 2014, at the height of the shipbuilding industry crisis, and spearheaded intensive management reforms. Even amid labor-management conflicts during business restructuring, including the division of business units, he remained committed to the belief that “labor and management are partners in the same boat” and worked to maintain the spirit of coexistence. When Park Keun-tae, a former branch chief, was imprisoned due to union activities, Honorary Chairman Kwon quietly visited him in prison, offering words of comfort: “It is unfortunate that such circumstances arose in the course of fulfilling our respective roles. Let’s meet again in good health.”

The former branch chiefs who attended the meeting responded, “We agree that labor and management must join forces for the company’s centennial vision, moving beyond past conflicts. Going forward, we will serve as a bridge to ensure that voices from the field are effectively communicated to management.”

An HD Hyundai representative commented, “This meeting is an extension of Honorary Chairman Kwon Oh-gap’s ongoing emphasis on ‘field-oriented management’ and ‘people-centered management.’ We will continue open communication and coexistence management, believing that true labor-management partnership and trust are the real competitive strengths of HD Hyundai.”