A Seoul-filled Day of Sights

Enjoy the pictures of a day in Seoul. Our sightseeing began with a visit to the King's Royal Palace and the colorful Changing-of-the-Guard ceremony. More details to follow on our last full day in Korea.

Hyundai Steel - Wednesday in Korea

After a well rested evening, we headed to the train station in Ulsan for our 90 minute bullet train west across South Korea to Asan. We then motorcoach to Dangjin, located along the Yellow Sea. We are treated to a delightful lunch with President Woo Yoo-cheol, the CEO in Hyundai’s newly designed guest house.

This morning, we visit Hyundai Steel. The second largest steelmaker in South Korea is leading the way by establishing a “tightly closed raw material processing system”. Hyundai Steel created the worlds’ first closed raw material processing system that enables the steelmaker to operate all its procedures under airtight conditions. The closed roof raw material handling facility, can store 3 million tons of iron ore, coal, and other raw materials. The plant imports all its materials and is located on 2000 acres. Three key factors for the steel they produce for their cars: producing 6mm thick steel that is of the best quality and with a brilliant shine.

Prior to our departure, President Woo has gifted each of us with a replica of the closed dome-roof facility buildings where the raw materials are stored and production initiated.

Tuesday in Korea

We boarded the KTX bullet train from the northwestern city of Seoul across South Korea to the southwest industrial city of Ulsan (approximately 250 miles). Here we visited Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Shipbuilding division. This division leads the global shipbuilding industry and is the world’s number one shipbuilder. HHI’s shipyard stretches over four kilometers along the coast in Ulsan, Korea and employs approximately 44,000 people. It has nine large-scale dry docks with six huge “Goliath Cranes”. The division has delivered more than 1500 ships in 48 countries since 1972, since the shipyard’s groundbreaking.

A short ride takes us to the world’s largest automobile plant – The Hyundai Ulsan Plant. As Hyundai Motor’s main production facility, the Ulsan Plant sits on a 5,000,000 square meter SITE and is equipped with five independent plants that employ over 34,000 people to produce an average of 5,400 vehicles a day. The plant has its own port where up to three ships can anchor simultaneously.

To make our day complete, we visited the coastal city of Gyeongju (pronounced “kun-zoo”). This was the capital of the ancient kindgdom of Silla which ruled most of the Korean Peninsula between the 7th and 9th centuries. Its rich historical heritage afforded us the opportunity too tour the Shhilla Dynasty Tombs and Lake.

After a full day of sights, we checked into the Hyundai Hotel (yes, it is Hyundai’s hotel!) located along the lake in Ulsan. This truly is a Hyundai city. Dinner at our leisure and karaoke to follow found many of our group enjoying a delightful evening. My body was so tired that I slept thru dinner and well into the night foregoing the evening activities.

Bullet Train cross country

We enjoyed a fast 300kph bullet train from Seoul to Ulsan where we toured Hyundai Heavy Industries. They have created a "city" around this expansive plant with 44,000 people living and working in this one area. There are schools and a hospital here along with coffee shops dotting the area here and there. Refer to my next post "Tuesday in Korea" for more details on this exciting day.

The two and a half hour journey was quite comfortable in first class with one window seat, an aisle passageway, and then an aisle and window seat across. Light snacks are available for purchase. A relaxing ride to read, nap, or catch up with one another is ideal. Gas here is close to $7 per gallon. People take the trains, ride their mopeds, motorcycles, and walk.

The temperature has been a pleasant mid-70's. After our morning tour, we enjoyed a spectacular tour of the shipyard. It is almost incomprehensible to realize the multiple departments and competencies of the people within these plants.

Hyundai is more than cars

And I thought Hyundai only manufactured cars. I had no idea it had its own shipyard where it builds ships and transports literally thousands of containers around the world. And did you know that Hyundai has the largest steel manufacturing plant in the world and it is rated one of the best?

We have been privileged to have access to the extraordinary plant tours and experiences to learn about these various companies within Hyundai’s global enterprise. Their top leadership has met with us and we have received informative briefings and watched insightful videos into the complexity of what it takes to be one of the most well respected companies within their field.

At times I felt we were viewing what the next 20 years will bring, and I realize the future is here now at Hyundai. The Chairman’s vision and undisputable commitment to quality is forefront within each of these organizations.

I am honored to be in Korea with 16 other business leaders as well as some of the Hyundai key personnel. I join my colleagues in returning to Montgomery with the hope to share this company's wonderful story and rich history.

The ONLY way to fly to Asia

Ahn nyung ha se yo! Good Morning (or is it afternoon there now) - Hello!

I am supposed to be in bed despite the fact that it is 12 noon in Alabama and it is nearly 2am here (the next day)! I just finished an hour workout in the gym and my body refuses to believe it's time for bed. There is a 14 hour time difference.

Our group of 20+ enjoyed Prestige Class (Business Class) on Korean Airlines - flat beds and gracious service from a generous number of flight attendants. The Korean people are so lovely, genuinely hospitable, and gracious. I was drinking two water bottles an hour and it did not matter how many requested from one of the many flight attendants, a beautiful smile greeted me each time with a respectful bow.

After viewing the various movies of our choice, lunch, dinner, and two long naps on our flat beds in Prestige Class, we all felt fairly rested upon arrival. Many exchanged money in the airport and we feel quite rich with the large bills that fatten our wallets. 10,000 bills, 5,000 bills, and 1,000 bills in great denominations....and yet it all totals a mere $200 USD. Current exchange is roughly $1.00 USD = 1100 won.

The Hyundai team in Seoul greeted us and is caring for virtually every need while we experience their country over the next five days. An hour transfer from the airport to the beautiful Grand Hyatt in the heart of South Korea's capital city gave us views of many mountains and the Han River, the largest river in South Korea. Mountains cover 70% of the land mass, making Korea one of the most mountainous regions in the world. The Grand Hyatt is set on the historic Mount Namsan amid 18 acres of waterfalls and landscaped gardens and offers a dramatic backdrop to this busy metropolitan city.

Tonight, several of us were fitted for custom made suits from a tailor that has worked with many of the Alabama delegation from previous trips. I'm thrilled to meet Benjamin, the owner and have him as a contact in Korea. He keeps our measurements on file and at any time we can email him a design or picture of any suit or outfit desired and he will custom make from some of the finest fabrics at a fraction of the cost of a tailored suit.

We have an early start in a few hours and a very exciting day planned to meet the Hyundai executives at the Hyundai Headquarters in Seoul. I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming days!

Nae-il man-nayo (See you tomorrow)

Korea with Hyundai

Greetings! In a few short hours, I will be getting up for what will seem a 48 hour journey to South Korea. It will be my first visit to this country. While preparing for this trip, I learned that South Korea is similar in size to the state of Kentucky (38,000 square miles). South Korea is 75% of the size of my home state of Alabama.

I've been practicing a few Korean greetings and very excited to be immersed in the Korean culture. There are many wonderful Koreans living in Alabama and I feel very fortunate and priviledged to visit their country.

Join me on this journey and I will share the wonders, delights, and fascinations of this incredible destination.