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| Former Presidential Protocol Secretary Kim Il-bum / Korea Times file |
By Kim Hyun-bin
Hyundai Motor Group has decided to hire Kim Il-bum, former presidential protocol secretary, as the head of its division handling government-related affairs, according to company officials, Tuesday.
The company said it is in the process of recruiting Kim to strengthen its global external policy capabilities and support its activities related to the nationwide campaign to host World Expo 2030 in Busan.
Kim is expected to assume the role of Hyundai Motor Group's vice president as early as July, after the completion of the ethics examination for retired public officials. Hyundai Motor Group clarified that the specific timing and position have yet to be finalized.
Kim Il-bum, a graduate of Yonsei University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy, previously worked as a diplomat and served as an English interpreter for former Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak.
He gained recognition as the head of the North America 2 Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2019. Kim later joined SK Group's Supex Council as vice chairman, responsible for the group's overseas operations.
During his tenure on the Presidential Transition Committee, he served as a foreign press spokesperson for President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol and subsequently became a presidential secretary during President Yoon's administration. He resigned prior to President Yoon's visit to the U.S. and Japan in March. Kim's wife is actress Park Sun-young.
Given his experience, Kim is expected to leverage his diplomatic skills to handle Hyundai Motor Group's international operations. Industry officials say in the rapidly changing global automotive market, which includes challenges such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and concerns over global supply chains, individuals with diplomatic expertise are essential.
"Hyundai Motor Group is in the process of hiring to strengthen its global external policy capabilities and support the promotion activities for World Expo 2030 in Busan," a Hyundai Motor Group official said. Busan is competing against Italy's Rome, Ukraine's Odesa and Saudi Arabia's Riyadh to host the Expo.
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