Hyundai Motor’s manufacturing factory manager Kim Eok-jo has been promoted to the post of vice chairman in charge of the company’s labor sector.

Since January 2011, Kim has worked for Hyundai Motor as a president and the chief of the carmaker’s Ulsan plant.

Before that, he played a significant role in boosting the automaker’s overseas sales as head of Hyundai Motor’s Czech Republic corporation.

Hyundai has been striving to enhance its internal strength amid global uncertainties, in part through active personnel shakeups that have taken place over the past few weeks.

It is important for staff not to settle for the status quo to cope with the uncertainties, Hyundai chairman Chung Mong-koo told employees.

His remarks are in line with the group’s roadmap to catch up with European and Japanese carmakers by offering cars with advanced quality.

“Beyond the products which simply satisfy consumers, it is time for us to touch their hearts by providing them with the best quality products,” Chung said.

By Kim Yon-se
(kys@heraldcorp.com)