The Korean Automobile Journalists Association held the ‘2022 Automotive Person’ awards ceremony on the 21st at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul’s Nuri Ballroom, recognizing individuals and organizations that have made remarkable achievements in the automotive industry and public relations over the past year.
The 2022 Automotive Person awards feature four categories: ▲Contribution Award in the Industrial Sector ▲Innovation Award in the Industrial Sector ▲Public Relations (In-house) ▲Public Relations (Agency). Final recipients were determined through voting by a jury composed of executive members, board members, and advisors of the Press Association after collecting candidate recommendations from all member companies.
The Contribution Award in the Industrial Sector was awarded to Kwak Jae-sun, the Chairman of SsangYong Motor, while the Innovation Award went to Song Ho-sung, President of Kia. The Public Relations award was shared by Kim Byeong-soo, Head of GM Media Communications, and Seo Young-jin, Chief Executive of EOS Communications.
Chairman Kwak Jae-sun of SsangYong received the Contribution Award for his dedication to domestic automotive industry development, particularly for his leadership in accepting challenges and innovations to restore the company.
Song Ho-sung, President of Kia, who received the Innovation Award, successfully led the brand’s relaunch toward becoming a ‘smart mobility solution company,’ transcending traditional automotive manufacturing. His leadership in launching the brand’s first dedicated electric vehicle, the EV6, which was honored as ‘European Car of the Year,’ has helped establish Kia as a leading electric vehicle brand globally.
Kim Byeong-soo, Head of GM Media Communications, received the Public Relations Award for enhancing journalists’ understanding of the company and its products through various media events, including product test drives, GM Brand Day, and factory invitations. He also contributed to broader understandings of future global automotive technology trends through meetings with the Korean Automobile Journalists Association.
Seo Young-jin, CEO of EOS Communications, has dedicated over 20 years to promoting imported vehicles, working to popularize them. He has enhanced client brand value through diverse promotional activities across mobility sectors, including luxury passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and tires.
Lee Seung-yong, President of the Korean Automobile Journalists Association, remarked, “The Automotive Person Awards, established in 2019, celebrate the contributions of the automotive professionals who have illuminated South Korea’s automotive industry this year, and they aim to motivate further progress for the industry’s advancement in the new year.” He added, “I was sorry that we couldn’t hold the Automotive Night events in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, but this year, we are delighted to create a platform for interaction among our reporters and automotive companies and institutions, and I extend my warmest congratulations to the honorees once again.”
Contact: Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr