Hyundai Vice Chair Kwon to head KSAE
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Kwon Moon-sik
By Park Jin-hai
Kwon Moon-sik, 61, Hyundai Motor Group vice chairman and its research and development head, will take the helm of the Korea Society of Automotive Engineers (KSAE).
He will be inaugurated on Jan.1.
The KSAE, established in 1978, is a nonprofit organization for the purpose of advancing and developing automotive science and technology in Korea.
With 600 companies and their research centers including the five local automakers as members, the organization has been working for the promotion of science and culture, and the progress of industries and the economy as well.
As a long time Hyundai man, Kwon previously served as vice chairman of KSAE and has also worked as the organizing committee chairman for the KSAE-led completion for self-developed cars among university students.
Kwon studied mechanical engineering at Seoul National University and earned masters and doctorate degrees from Aachen University in Germany.
He joined Hyundai in 1991 and has worked in various affiliates, including Hyundai NGV, a research arm to develop next-generation vehicles, Hyundai Steel, automotive parts maker Hyundai Kefico and Hyundai Autron.
He has been the chief of Hyundai’s research and development unit since 2014.
For his contribution to automotive development in areas of environmentally friendly vehicles, fuel cell cars and material mass reduction technology, he was awarded the Presidential Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in 2014. The KSAE publishes some 250 academic research papers each year and organizes training sessions, international conventions and competitions about automotive technologies.