Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
HD Hyundai leads Korea-US maritime alliance effort
Participants of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Leaders Forum pose at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of HD Hyundai
By Park Jae-hyuk
HD Hyundai is positioning itself at the forefront of a growing Korea-U.S. partnership in shipbuilding and maritime research, the company said Tuesday, following its hosting of a bilateral leadership forum in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province.
The Korea-U.S. Leaders' Forum on Education and Research on Shipbuilding was held at HD Hyundai’s Global R&D Center. It was a follow-up to a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in July 2023 between HD Hyundai, Seoul National University (SNU) and the University of Michigan (UM) to promote joint talent development in the shipbuilding industry.
The event marked the first maritime-focused forum involving both countries since the inauguration of Korea’s new administration, bringing together over 40 experts in shipbuilding and marine engineering from leading Korean and U.S. universities.
“This collaboration marks the beginning of a true maritime alliance — one that goes beyond talent exchange to sharing technologies and visions between Korea and the United States,” said Chung Ki-sun, executive vice chairman of HD Hyundai, in his opening remarks. “Let us work together toward the growth and prosperity of both nations’ shipbuilding industries.”
The forum was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Seoul National University and the U.S. Embassy in Korea. Key attendees included Andrew Gately, commercial minister-counselor at the U.S. Embassy; Lee Seung-ryeol, MOTIE deputy minister for industrial policy; and professors from institutions such as KAIST, MIT and UM.
David Singer, a University of Michigan professor who spoke on behalf of the U.S. delegation, praised Korea’s advanced shipbuilding capabilities and highlighted the need for talent development to revive the U.S. industry.
“I find myself in awe of the remarkable capability of Korean shipyards to produce the world’s largest and most intricate vessels in record time,” Singer said. “Investing in talent is absolutely crucial for rejuvenating the U.S. shipbuilding industry, and the potential for expanding our collaboration with HD Hyundai is an exceptional opportunity we cannot afford to overlook.”
The forum moved to Seoul National University in the afternoon, where participating institutions introduced their shipbuilding and maritime engineering curricula and discussed potential joint education programs. Sessions also focused on best practices and future collaboration strategies.
On Wednesday, the final day of the forum, discussions will center on joint research initiatives, including smart shipyard technologies aimed at digital transformation in shipbuilding.
Ahead of the forum, the U.S. delegation toured HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ commercial and naval shipyards in Ulsan, where they were briefed on smart yard systems and autonomous navigation technology.
The second forum is scheduled to be held in the United States in October.