Renault Korea announced that Director Park Dong-jae received an industrial award, while Director Choi Seok-chan and Chief Designer Kim Min-young were awarded ministerial commendations, in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of the domestic automotive industry at the ’21st Day of the Car’ event organized by the Korea Automobile Mobility Association (KAMA).
Director Park Dong-jae of Renault Korea has been evaluated as playing a key role in stabilizing quality and enhancing competitiveness at the Busan plant over the past 27 years. He served as the leader of production technology and new car project development, establishing optimized processes that secured stable quality and productivity in vehicle mass production.
Currently, serving as the head of new car project technology, Director Park was also recognized for his contributions in attracting the Aurora Project, which will be launched in the second half of this year, to the Busan plant. This opportunity helped establish the Busan plant as a leader within the Renault Group, leading to investments in facility replacements for hybrid and electric vehicle production.
Director Choi Seok-chan, responsible for financial support at Renault Korea, was noted for his strategic planning and execution, which provided a breakthrough during the company’s financial crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he oversaw comprehensive cost improvements and various fixed cost optimization activities, while actively managing cash liquidity related to bonds, debts, and inventory, contributing to management performance. Furthermore, he played a crucial role in securing significant foreign investment through a partnership agreement with Geely Group.
Additionally, Director Choi successfully led a project that will see the production of the ‘Polestar 4’ electric vehicle by the Swedish brand Polestar at the Busan plant starting in the second half of 2025, significantly contributing to Renault Korea’s transition to future vehicles and increased exports. This project is considered a valuable opportunity to realize many potential prospects in the domestic electric vehicle industry, including domestic battery localization and the transition of cooperating companies to electric vehicle production.
Chief Designer Kim Min-young has successfully implemented market-customized strategies by developing the color and trim design of the ‘New Renault Arkana,’ reflecting the preferences of consumers in Korea and Europe. He also strategically incorporated premium materials, which were primarily used in sedans, to ensure the successful market entry of this coupe SUV model and played a significant role in introducing eco-friendly materials such as bio-sourced synthetic leather.
Moreover, Chief Designer Kim was recognized for understanding the difficulties faced by small companies in enhancing their design capabilities and for proactively promoting co-growth through material development in collaborative relationships. He supported local companies in substituting materials developed overseas, and utilized the advantages of Renault Korea, headquartered abroad, to create opportunities for local companies to enter overseas markets.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr