Chung Euisun, left, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, poses with Petr Fiala, prime minister of the Czech Republic, at the latter's office in Prague, Oct. 27. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

By Baek Byung-yeul

Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, promoted Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030 to the prime minister of the Czech Republic, the automotive group said Friday.

Hyundai said Chung met Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the latter's office in Prague, Oct. 27 (local time). During the meeting, Chung discussed mutual cooperation measures such as transforming Hyundai Motor's car manufacturing plant there to produce electric vehicles (EVs), and made a request to support Busan's bid to host the World Expo in 2030.

The Czech Republic is currently serving as the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second half of this year. After establishing diplomatic ties in 1990, Korea and the Czech Republic established a strategic partnership in 2015, and have been continuing to strengthen cooperation in various ways.

At present, more than 50 Korean companies including Hyundai Motor are doing business in the European country and the two countries are considering expanding cooperation on EVs and clean energy.

"Chairman Chung expressed his gratitude to the prime minister saying that Hyundai Motor's Czech plant has grown into an important branch of the country's automotive industry thanks to the active support from the Czech government. He then explained the competitiveness of Korea and Busan as a candidate city for the World Expo 2030 and asked for interest and support," a group spokesman said.

The organizing committee for Busan's campaign to host the World Expo in 2030 selected the theme of "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future" in order to solve the crises the world is facing such as climate change and inequality.

"We will be able to prepare for a sustainable future and address global issues through nature-friendly life and technological innovation, the main values the World Expo in Busan is pursuing," the chairman told the prime minister according to the automotive group.

Chung also stressed Korea is the country that can suggest solutions to these issues, saying "Korea has an ability to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution with its technologies such as eco-friendly mobility, artificial intelligence and smart cities."

Hyundai's plant in the Czech Republic began producing cars in 2008 and has made over 3.9 million cars as of September. The plant mainly produces Hyundai Motor's popular models in the European market such as the Kona Electric, the Tucson and the i30.

The plant in the Czech Republic is increasingly becoming important as a key base to lead the company's EV drive in Europe, which decided to ban the sale of combustion engine-powered cars after 2035.

The chairman asked the prime minister to continue providing support and interest so that its plant there will transform smoothly into an EV production base.