April 25, 2024

• 

[THE INVESTOR] Newly appointed Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has chosen Hyundai Motor’s Sonata Hybrid, an economic and environment-friendly midsize sedan, for her official commuting limo, during her tenure that kicked off on June 19.

The Sonata is a rare choice for ranking government officials here who usually prefer large luxury sedans made by Korean carmakers such as Hyundai’s Genesis EQ900, Kia Motors’ K9 and SsangYong Motor’s Chairman. 

Kang, the longtime former UN diplomat, was first offered a Genesis sedan but she picked the black Sonata that she used during a parliamentary hearing last week.

“Environmental concerns were the reason as well as her will to serve people with humble attitude,” an unnamed ministry official said in an interview with a local daily.

Industry watchers say Kang’s pick of Sonata -- used by regular public employees on official duty -- could affect the future car choice of other senior officials too.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)