HD Hyundai kicks off new year with employees at chairman’s meeting

HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun broke tradition Monday by inviting rank-and-file employees to the company's New Year's meeting, in an effort to encourage communication across the group.

The shipbuilding group said it hosted the Opening 2026 event at its headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, reflecting the chairman’s intent to simplify the celebration and communicate more directly with employees.

Around 300 workers, including those born in the year of the horse, attended the event after expressing interest in meeting with the chairman.

"Your honest feedback will help make the company’s direction clearer and stronger," Chung told employees. "I will continue to hold similar gatherings to openly exchange ideas and opinions with everyone."

HD Hyundai said Chung took notes during the session and personally responded to employee questions.

When asked about the company’s greatest achievement in 2025, he cited the proactive restructuring of its shipbuilding, construction equipment and energy businesses, alongside continued investments in next-generation technologies.

Since being appointed chairman last October, the 43-year-old grandson of the late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung has made consistent efforts to connect with employees.

On the day of his appointment, he had lunch with staff in the company cafeteria.

After visits to the group’s factories and construction sites across the country in November, Chung met with 170 MZ generation employees — those in their 20s and 30s — last month for an informal discussion and pep talk.