Hyundai Chairman Kim Seong ⓒHyundai Motor
Hyundai Motor announced on the 23rd that Chairman Kim Seong has been selected as this year’s recipient of the ‘George F. Kennan Award’ hosted by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP). The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 24th in New York.
The NCAFP, a think tank celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, was established in 1974 to support the achievement of U.S. government foreign policy goals by promoting crucial exchanges of opinions among American scholars and government experts.
The George F. Kennan Award was established in 1994 to honor the dedication and accomplishments of legendary American diplomat George F. Kennan. Prominent figures such as former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, and former U.S. Ambassador to China and Russia Jon Huntsman have been recipients of this prestigious award.
An official from the NCAFP explained the reason for Chairman Kim’s selection, saying, “Chairman Kim has built an outstanding diplomatic career, serving as an ambassador in Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia.” They further acknowledged his significant contributions to U.S. foreign policy and decided to award him.
Reacting to the honor, Chairman Kim stated, “I consider this award not just as a recognition of my personal achievements but as the culmination of the efforts of many superiors, colleagues, and juniors with whom I have spent my long career. I will continue to strive for positive changes in the international community and diplomatic field.”
Starting his public service as a prosecutor in Los Angeles County, Chairman Kim became the first Asian American to serve as ambassador to three countries. He is highly respected as a leading expert on East Asia and the Korean Peninsula, having held various important positions such as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Special Representative for North Korea Policy at the State Department, and Chief Representative for the Six-Party Talks. In March, he was also honored with the ‘2024 Immigrant Hero Award’ by the Korean American Association for his contributions to elevating the status of Korean Americans.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor appointed former Ambassador Kim as a senior advisor in January this year to enhance predictability in the uncertain global business environment and establish a foundation for sustainable performance.
Currently, Chairman Kim supports Hyundai Motor Group’s overseas market strategies, global trade and policy responses, and works towards enhancing the group’s external networking capabilities.