Hyundai rehires R&D president let go over quality issues

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Hyundai, South Korea



Last November, Hyundai announced the resignations of research and development president Kwon Moon-sik and two other R&D executives. At that time, it was said that the executives wished to "take responsibility for a series of quality issues" at the Korean automaker. Kwon Moon-sik had only been in the position for a year, but some of the quality issues thought to have caused the resignations included recalls of the Genesis and other sedans around the world, along with the company's much-publicized fuel economy overstatement controversy - both of which dealt with matters that transpired before Moon-sik took his position. In its statement at the time, Hyundai said, "The latest personnel change shows our firm commitment to quality management and reaffirms our will to continuously improve R&D competitiveness."

Three months later, Reuters is reporting that Moon-sik is back with the company, a statement announcing the rehire saying, "Given his expertise, experience and leadership skills, we reinstated president Kwon to enhance quality and R&D capability from scratch." Company chairman Chung Mong-koo is said to have a reputation for firing then rehiring workers, and it's possible this rehire is especially timely because Hyundai will bring its new Sonata to market this year and likely wants its experienced R&D captain at the wheel.

The man who had taken Moon-sik's position has returned to his previous post as head of powertrain development. However, in another surprise resignation, the head of Hyundai's design center, Oh Sug-geun, has left the company for "personal reasons." He has been replaced by Lee Byung-seob, who moves up from his position as head of exterior design.

We have reached out to Hyundai for comment on Kwon Moon-sik's rehiring and will update this story when we learn more.Hyundai rehires R&D president let go over quality issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Feb 2014 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[PMCErnie]

"Company chairman Chung Mong-koo is said to have a reputation for firing then rehiring workers...."

Company chairman Chung Mong-koo should depart.

 

[Mark_888]

"Company chairman Chung Mong-koo is said to have a reputation for firing then rehiring workers...."

Company chairman Chung Mong-koo should depart.

Good thing we are in the 21st century now. Probably at one time long ago in Korea (or Japan) the person fired was expected to commit suicide, which would have made the rehiring part more difficult.