Kwon Oh-gap, chairman of Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings (HHI Holdings), stressed to executives and employees on March 17 that the company should overcome the outbreak of the new coronavirus with the spirit of the Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung.
"For the past six years, we have been practicing self-rescue efforts and improvements in our constitution for the ultimate goal of survival. In the process of overcoming the difficulties, we encountered an unexpected ambush called COVID-19," Kwon said in an e-mail and handout statement.
Kwon recalled the spirit of founder Chung, the late Hyundai Group honorary chairman, and said, "At a time when all the economic systems are shaken by the COVID-19 crisis, founder Chung may teach us what mindset we should have and what actions we should do."
Kwon stressed, "Though the COVID-19 has caused all of our homes and companies to turn on emergency lights, let's overcome this difficulty wisely by doing our best in our own work in our respective positions."
He continued to say, "Although the acquisition process of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has been delayed a bit, it is proceeding smoothly. We will strengthen our position as the world's No. 1 shipbuilder through the acquisition. We will be reborn as the hope of the Korean shipbuilding industry."
Kwon quoted the phrase written by founder Chung during his lifetime, "Spring is coming. The heart-waiting spring has come very close,” saying, "If we get out of the difficulties now, we will have a hopeful spring. Let's wait for the spring that comes not only in the change of seasons, but in the minds of all of us."