Automobile Day Observed

Korean automobile industry will likely produce 5 million cars during 2007

The projections for automobile manufacturing in year 2007 will see growth in the domestic automobile industry with the production of 5 million cars - 4 million cars on the domestic market and 1 million cars abroad, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in his speech marking the anniversary of Automobile Day on May 11th . Prime Minister Han urged the Korean automobile manufacturing industry to take the lead in the global automobile industry by making use of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which is scheduled to be ratified by the government of each country and accelerating its move to enhance competitiveness in terms of quality and technology.
The Prime Minister delivered the speech during the anniversary ceremony held on May 11 at 11 a.m. at COEX InterContinental Hotel in Seoul, which attracted 300 prominent figures from the government and automobile industry sectors. The participants also included Kim Young-ju, minister of commerce, industry and energy, and Cho Namg-hong,
chairman of Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Automobile Day is observed each year since 2004 when the first anniversary was observed to celebrate Korea's accumulative manufactured units surpassing 10 million units on May 12, 1999.
Lee Young-kook, president of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology, was conferred the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower, in recognition of ensuring conciliation between labor and management, technological development and successful restructuring.
The Order of Industrial Service Merit, Silver Tower and Copper Tower went to Shin Suk-jin, vice chairman of Donghee Industrial Co., and Shin Jong-weun, vice president of Kia Motors Corp., respectively. Donghee Vice Chairman Shin was praised for successfully localizing major automotive parts, while Kia Motors Vice President Shin was awarded for improving quality and boosting exports.
Three people, including Daegee CEO Lee Dong-hoon, were awarded with the Industrial Service Medal, while three others, including Kwak Sang-chul,

managing director of Ssangyong Motor, were presented with the presidential award.
The prime minister's award went to four people, including Denso PS Corp. Vice Chairman Lee Jung-hyung, while 20 people, including Sunil Dyfas Corp. Vice President Kim Jong-hee, received the minister of commerce, industry and energy award.
MOCIE Minister Kim said in his congratulatory message that despite difficult conditions like the recent appreciation of the Korean currency, the domestic automobile industry has ranked fifth among global automobile manufacturers by capitalizing on excellent quality and high technological levels.
The minister stressed that if they are armed with coexistence spirit and partnership with the understanding that labor and management, automobile manufacturers and automotive parts makers are in the same boat, they will overcome any challenges and hardships that they face in future. nw

(left photo) Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Kim Young-ju speaks during the Automobile Day anniversary event. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo confers the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower on Lee Young-kook, president of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology during the anniversary event.

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